Post Date: 27 February 2026
Short Information: The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) has released the detailed notification (Rule Book) for the Combined Recruitment Test 2026 for 1679 Vacancies of Forest Guard (Van Rakshak), Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak), Jail Prahari, and Assistant Jail Superintendent (Sahayak Jail Adhikshak). Eligible candidates can submit their online applications from 27th February 2026 to 14th March 2026 through the official website esb.mp.gov.in. Read below to check the complete details regarding eligibility, vacancy distribution, exam pattern, and direct application links.
MADHYA PRADESH EMPLOYEES SELECTION BOARD (MPESB)
FOREST GUARD & JAIL PRAHARI COMBINED RECRUITMENT TEST 2026
SHORT DETAILS OF NOTIFICATION
MPESB Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Conducting Body | Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB / MP Vyapam) |
| Post Names | Van Rakshak (Forest Guard), Kshetra Rakshak (Field Guard), Jail Prahari, Sahayak Jail Adhikshak |
| Departments | Van Vibhag (Forest Dept) & Jail Vibhag (Prison Dept) |
| Total Vacancies | 1679 Posts |
| Registration Dates | 27th February to 14th March 2026 |
| Selection Process | Written Examination, Physical Fitness Test (PFT) / PET, Document Verification, Medical Examination |
| Official Website | esb.mp.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Rule Book / Notification Released | 27th February 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 27th February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14th March 2026 |
| Online Form Correction Dates | 28th February to 19th March 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | 7th April 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Non-MP Domicile) | Rs. 500/- per paper |
| SC / ST / OBC (MP Domicile Only) | Rs. 250/- per paper |
| Additional Portal Charges | Rs. 20/- (Registered User) / Rs. 60/- (Kiosk) |
Vacancy Details (1679 Posts)
Under this combined recruitment test, 1679 vacancies are distributed across the Forest and Prison departments of Madhya Pradesh.
| Post Name | Department | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) | Van Vibhag | 728 |
| Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak) | Van Vibhag | 169 |
| Jail Prahari | Jail Vibhag | 757 |
| Assistant Jail Superintendent | Jail Vibhag | 25 |
| Grand Total | 1679 | |
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification:
| Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | Candidates must have passed 10th (High School) from MP Board or from a recognized institution with a higher secondary or 10+2 degree. |
| Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak) | Passed 10th (High School) from a recognized institution or 10+2 from a higher secondary school. |
| Jail Prahari | Candidates must have completed at least high school under the 10+2 system or higher secondary under the old system. |
| Sahayak Jail Adhikshak | Applicant must have passed Graduation (Bachelor’s Degree) from a recognized University. |
2. Age Limit (As on 01/01/2026):
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 33 Years (For General / Unreserved category)
- Age relaxation is applicable for SC/ST/OBC/Women candidates of MP Domicile as per government rules.
Salary / Pay Scale
| Post Name | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) | Rs. 19,500/- to Rs. 62,000/- |
| Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak) | Rs. 19,500/- to Rs. 62,000/- |
| Jail Prahari | Rs. 19,500/- to Rs. 62,000/- |
| Assistant Jail Superintendent | Rs. 36,200/- to Rs. 114,800/- |
Selection Process
The selection involves multiple stages to ensure candidates are physically and mentally fit for the roles:
- Written Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT) / Offline mode.
- Physical Fitness Test (PFT) / PET: Qualifying in nature (Running, Shot Put, etc., as per post requirements).
- Document Verification: Verification of educational, age, and caste proofs.
- Medical Examination: Standard medical fitness checks.
Exam Pattern 2026
- The exam will consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Subjects: General Knowledge / General Science, General Hindi, General English, General Mathematics.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
Based on the notification rules, candidates must secure minimum marks to qualify the written exam:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Outside MP) | 40% |
| SC (MP Domicile) | 33% |
| ST / OBC (MP Domicile) | 23% |
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official MPESB portal at esb.mp.gov.in or esb.mponline.gov.in.
- On the homepage, click on “Apply Online” under the Van Rakshak & Jail Prahari Combined Recruitment Test – 2026 link.
- Register your profile using Aadhaar-based authentication (Mandatory for MP Govt recruitments).
- Log in and fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph and digital signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee via online modes (Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI).
- Review all the information carefully before clicking the “Submit” button.
- Download and print the final application form and payment receipt for future reference.
| Apply Online | Click Here (Active) |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join Arattai Channel | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
MPESB Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
► 1. What is the full form of MPESB?
MPESB stands for Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board, formerly known as MP Vyapam.
► 2. How many total vacancies are announced in MPESB Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1679 vacancies have been announced.
► 3. Which posts are included in this combined recruitment?
The posts are Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari, and Assistant Jail Superintendent.
► 4. How many vacancies are there for Forest Guard?
There are 728 vacancies for the Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) post.
► 5. How many vacancies are there for Jail Prahari?
There are 757 vacancies for the Jail Prahari post.
► 6. When does the online application process start?
The online application started on 27th February 2026.
► 7. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit online applications is 14th March 2026.
► 8. Are there dates for form correction?
Yes, you can correct your application form from 28th February to 19th March 2026.
► 9. When is the written exam scheduled?
The written exam is scheduled for 7th April 2026.
► 10. What is the official website for registration?
Candidates must register and apply at esb.mp.gov.in or esb.mponline.gov.in.
► 11. What is the minimum age to apply?
The minimum age requirement is 18 years.
► 12. What is the maximum age limit for General category?
The maximum age limit is 33 years for the General category.
► 13. What is the cutoff date for age calculation?
The age limit will be calculated as of 1st January 2026.
► 14. Is there age relaxation for reserved categories?
Yes, age relaxation is provided to SC/ST/OBC and Women candidates of MP domicile as per rules.
► 15. What is the educational qualification for Forest Guard?
Candidates must be at least 10th pass from a recognized board.
► 16. What is the qualification for Jail Prahari?
Candidates need to be 10th pass under the 10+2 system or equivalent.
► 17. What is the qualification for Assistant Jail Superintendent?
A Bachelor’s degree (Graduation) from a recognized university is required.
► 18. Can candidates from outside Madhya Pradesh apply?
Yes, but they will be considered under the Unreserved (General) category and must pay the full fee.
► 19. What is the application fee for General candidates?
The fee for General/OBC (Non-MP) is Rs. 500/- per paper plus portal charges.
► 20. What is the application fee for SC/ST/OBC (MP Domicile)?
The fee is Rs. 250/- per paper plus portal charges.
► 21. What are the portal charges?
Portal charges are Rs. 60/- if applied via Kiosk, or Rs. 20/- for registered citizen users.
► 22. What is the selection process?
It includes a Written Exam, Physical Fitness Test, Document Verification, and a Medical Exam.
► 23. What is the pattern of the written exam?
It consists of 100 objective-type questions for 100 marks.
► 24. What subjects are asked in the exam?
The subjects generally include General Knowledge, General Science, General Hindi, General English, and General Mathematics.
► 25. What is the duration of the exam?
The exam duration is 2 hours.
► 26. Is there a negative marking?
Usually, MPESB exams do not have negative marking, but check the specific rule book for confirmation.
► 27. What are the minimum qualifying marks for the General category?
General candidates must score a minimum of 40% to qualify the written exam.
► 28. What are the qualifying marks for SC candidates of MP?
SC candidates of MP domicile must score a minimum of 33%.
► 29. Is Aadhaar mandatory for registration?
Yes, Aadhaar-based authentication is mandatory for all MPESB applications.
► 30. What is the salary of a Forest Guard?
The pay scale for Forest Guard is Rs. 19,500/- to Rs. 62,000/-.
► 31. What is the salary of an Assistant Jail Superintendent?
The pay scale for Assistant Jail Superintendent is Rs. 36,200/- to Rs. 114,800/-.
► 32. Can I apply for multiple posts?
Yes, if you meet the educational qualifications, you can apply for multiple posts through the combined recruitment form.
► 33. Will the exam be online or offline?
The exam is mostly conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT), but the board retains the right to conduct it offline if required.
► 34. What is the Physical Fitness Test (PFT)?
It includes physical measurements (height/chest) and endurance tests like running or shot put based on the specific post.
► 35. Can I edit my application after final submission?
Yes, MPESB provides a correction window (28 Feb to 19 March) to edit certain fields by paying a nominal correction fee.