UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026: the physical test women candidates need to clear

What the recruitment involves

The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) opened Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard recruitment for 2026, with 708 vacancies — 647 Forest Guard and 61 Wildlife Guard posts — open to both men and women. Applications ran from 30 June to 20 July 2026.

Eligibility

Candidates must be aged 18 to 40, have passed Intermediate (Class 12) from a recognised board, and hold a valid UPSSSC PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test) scorecard from 2025. Women candidates get a 5-year age relaxation, alongside SC/ST/OBC candidates from Uttar Pradesh and ex-servicemen.

The physical standard for women

Beyond the written exam, candidates must clear a Physical Efficiency Test (PET), since the job involves patrolling a forest beat on foot through varied terrain. Women candidates are required to complete a 14 km run, without additional weight, within 4 hours — a separate standard from the one set for male candidates, which is standard practice across most state forest guard recruitments.

Selection process and pay

Selection runs through PET-based shortlisting, a written examination, the Physical Efficiency and Physical Standard Tests, and a medical examination. Selected candidates fall under Pay Level-2, with a salary band of roughly ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and uniform/kit allowances as per UP government rules. Horizontal reservation for women is applied within the vacancy distribution, as per state government rules.

Why it matters

Forest Guard is one of the more physically demanding uniformed government roles open to women, and clearly published physical standards, age relaxations and reservation rules make it easier for women candidates to know exactly what to prepare for before applying.