KPSC Forest Driver Recruitment 2025-26 | Cat No. 861/2025

The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) has issued its First NCA Notification (Category No. 861/2025) for the recruitment of Forest Driver in the Forest & Wildlife Department. This is a golden opportunity for eligible male candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in Kerala, particularly from the Pathanamthitta district, to secure a prestigious government job with a competitive salary scale. Interested candidates must apply online through the KPSC’s ‘One Time Registration’ portal before the deadline of February 04, 2026.

KPSC Forest Driver Recruitment 2025-26 Overview

The KPSC Forest Driver recruitment drive (Category No. 861/2025) is specifically for male candidates from the SC community. The selection process involves various stages, including physical measurements, a physical efficiency test, and a practical driving test. Aspiring candidates should thoroughly review all criteria and prepare diligently for a chance to join the Kerala Government Service.

Important Dates for KPSC Forest Driver 861/2025

Candidates must adhere to the following crucial dates for the application process:

KPSC Forest Driver Vacancy Details (Category No. 861/2025)

The recruitment is for a single vacancy specifically earmarked for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in the Pathanamthitta district.

Important Note: Women candidates and Differently Abled candidates are **not eligible** to apply for this post. Applications submitted by candidates belonging to a community other than SC will be summarily rejected without any rejection memo.

KPSC Forest Driver Eligibility Criteria 2025

To be considered for the Forest Driver post, applicants must meet the following stringent eligibility requirements:

Age Limit

• Candidates must be between 23 and 41 years of age.
• Applicants must have been born between 02.01.1984 and 01.01.2002 (both dates included).
• Age relaxations for other conditions will be as per Para 2(i) of Part II of General Conditions of the KPSC notification (except para 2(i) itself).

Educational Qualification

• Candidates must possess an SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) or its equivalent examination recognized by the Government of India or Government of Kerala.
• Qualifications declared by the Government as equivalent to the prescribed educational qualification or higher qualifications will also be accepted, provided relevant Government Orders are produced when called for by the Commission.

Driving License & Experience

• All candidates must hold a valid Motor Driving License endorsed for all types of transport vehicles.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in driving motor vehicles is mandatory.
• The driving license must remain valid throughout all stages of the selection process (from the last date of application receipt, OMR Test, Physical Efficiency Test, Practical Test, etc.).
• Proficiency in driving will be assessed through a Practical Test conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission.
• An Experience Certificate, in the format prescribed in the notification, proving 3 years of driving experience must be submitted. This experience must be acquired after obtaining the academic or other basic qualifications.

Physical Standards

Candidates must meet specific physical and medical standards to qualify for the Forest Driver position.

Height and Chest Measurement

• Height: Must not be less than 160 cms.
• Chest: Minimum of 81 cms round the chest, with an expansion of at least 5 cms.

Medical Standards

All candidates must possess the medical standards prescribed below:

• Ear: Hearing should be perfect.
• Eye (Vision): Must be certified to possess visual standards specified below without glasses:
  • Distant Vision: Right Eye 6/6 Snellen, Left Eye 6/6 Snellen
  • Near Vision: Right Eye 0.5 Snellen, Left Eye 0.5 Snellen
  • Colour Vision: Normal
  • Night Blindness: Nil

  Note: Each eye must have a full field of vision. Colour blindness, squint, or any morbid conditions of the eye or lids will lead to disqualification.

• Muscles and Joints: No paralysis, and all joints must have free movements.
• Nervous System: Perfectly normal and free from any infectious diseases.

A Medical Certificate (in original, in the prescribed two-part format – Part A by an Ophthalmologist and Part B by a Medical Officer not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon/Junior Consultant) certifying physical fitness and eyesight without glasses must be produced at the time of the Physical Efficiency Test/Practical Test. This certificate must be uploaded to the candidate’s profile, and the original presented during certificate verification.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

All candidates must qualify in any Five events out of the following Eight events of the National Physical Efficiency One Star Standard Test for men:

Note: The tentative schedule for Physical Measurement and Physical Efficiency Test will be published on the official KPSC website. Physical measurement will be taken prior to the PET, and candidates not meeting the prescribed measurements will not proceed further. Candidates who sustain injuries or accidents during the PET will not be given another chance.

Application Process for KPSC Forest Driver

Follow these steps to successfully apply for the KPSC Forest Driver post:

1. Candidates must register via ‘One Time Registration’ on the official KPSC website: www.keralapsc.gov.in.
2. Existing registered users can log in to their profile using their User-ID and Password.
3. Candidates with an AADHAAR should add it as their ID proof in their profile.
4. For new profiles, upload a photograph taken within six months. The candidate’s name and date of the photograph must be printed legibly at the bottom. The uploaded photograph, if meeting all requirements, will be valid for 10 years.
5. Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button corresponding to the Forest Driver post (Category No. 861/2025) in the Notification Link.
6. No application fee is required for this recruitment.
7. Ensure all personal information in your profile is correct before final submission, as applications cannot be deleted or altered after submission.
8. Keep a printout or soft copy of the online application for future reference.
9. If a Written/OMR/Online Test is conducted, candidates must submit a confirmation for writing the examination through their One Time Registration profile. Only confirmed candidates can generate and download admission tickets (available 15 days before the test date). Applications without confirmation will be rejected.
10. Original documents to prove qualification, experience, age, and community must be produced when called for by the Commission.

Selection Process for KPSC Forest Driver

The selection for the KPSC Forest Driver (Category No. 861/2025) will be based on a District-wise Direct Recruitment method, specifically for candidates belonging to the SC community. The process typically includes:

• Physical Measurement: Initial screening for height and chest.
• Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates must qualify in at least 5 out of 8 specified events.
• Practical Test: A driving proficiency test conducted by KPSC.
• Written/OMR/Online Test: If conducted, candidates will need to submit a confirmation.
• Document Verification: Verification of all original certificates for age, qualification, experience, and community.
• Medical Examination: Assessment of medical standards including ear, eye, muscles, joints, and nervous system.

Candidates appointed will undergo training for not more than three months at a Forest Training School. Failure to successfully complete the training will result in termination of service.

Important Notes and Instructions

• Candidates already in Government service holding the same post in any one district are prohibited from applying again for this post.
• Weightage marks will be awarded for NCC ‘A’, ‘B’, & ‘C’ certificates (2%, 3%, and 5% respectively).
• Extra marks will be awarded to meritorious sports persons as per general conditions.
• Student Police Cadet (SPC) Certificate holders will also receive weightage marks.
• In case of discrepancies in Caste/Community claims between the application and SSLC Book, a gazette notification along with a Non-creamy layer/community certificate must be produced during verification.
• Candidates are advised to thoroughly read Part II, General Conditions of the notification before applying to avoid rejection.
• Strict disciplinary actions will be taken against candidates making bogus claims regarding qualifications or experience.

KPSC Forest Driver FAQs

Q1: What is the last date to apply for KPSC Forest Driver 861/2025?

The last date for submission of applications is February 04, 2026, up to 12 midnight.

Q2: What is the age limit for KPSC Forest Driver 861/2025?

Candidates must be between 23 and 41 years old, born between 02.01.1984 and 01.01.2002 (inclusive of both dates). Age relaxations apply as per general conditions.

Q3: What are the educational qualifications required for the KPSC Forest Driver post?

Applicants must have passed SSLC or its equivalent examination recognized by the Government of India or Kerala.

Q4: Is there an application fee for KPSC Forest Driver 861/2025?

No, there is no application fee required for this recruitment.

Q5: How many vacancies are available for the Forest Driver (Cat No. 861/2025)?

There is 1 (One) vacancy available, specifically for the SC community in the Pathanamthitta district.

Q6: Are women candidates eligible to apply for this post?

No, women candidates and Differently Abled candidates are not eligible to apply for the KPSC Forest Driver post (Category No. 861/2025).

Q7: What is the selection process for the KPSC Forest Driver?

The selection process includes physical measurements, a Physical Efficiency Test, a Practical Driving Test, and potentially a Written/OMR/Online Test, followed by document verification and a medical examination.

Q8: What are the driving license and experience requirements?

Candidates must possess a valid Motor Driving License for all types of transport vehicles and have at least 3 years of driving experience after obtaining their basic qualifications. An experience certificate in the prescribed format is mandatory.