KFD Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026 Apply Offline
Introduction
The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has released a new job notice for Elephant Kavadiga (Ane Kavadiga) posts. These are Group 'D' jobs. This recruitment is for the year 2026. There are a total of 57 posts available. These posts are spread across five forest circles in Karnataka: Kanara (Shirsi), Kodagu (Madikeri), Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and Shivamoga.
If you have experience in handling elephants and live in a forest area within Karnataka, this job might be for you. You also need to know how to speak and understand Kannada. The KFD has issued separate notices for each circle, but all follow the same rules for applying, eligibility, age, and salary. All these notices are being treated here as one combined recruitment drive.
The application process is offline. You need to download the application form from the official KFD website. After filling it, you must send it by post or submit it in person to the correct Circle office. The last date to send your application is 03 September 2026. Make sure your application reaches before this date and time.
This page gives you all the important details about this KFD recruitment. You will find information on the number of posts, who can apply, age limits, salary, and how to submit your form. It is very important to read the full official notification PDF before you apply. This will help you understand all the rules and avoid mistakes.
Recruitment Overview
Here is a quick look at the KFD Elephant Kavadiga recruitment. All important details are in the table below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) |
| Post Name | Elephant Kavadiga (Ane Kavadiga), Group 'D' |
| No of Posts | 57 |
| Salary | ₹29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800 |
| Qualification | Experience in elephant management/handling is mandatory. No specific minimum educational qualification mentioned. |
| Age Limit | 18 to 40 years (as per category) |
| Last Date to Apply | 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Apply Mode | Offline |
| Job Type | Karnataka Government Job |
Important Dates
Check these important dates carefully. Make sure you apply before the last date.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 27 July 2026 |
| Start Date for Submission of Application | 05 August 2026, from 10:00 AM |
| Last Date for Submission of Application | 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
Vacancy Details
There are a total of 57 Elephant Kavadiga posts. These include 51 fresh vacancies and 6 backlog vacancies. The posts are divided among five circles as shown below.
| S. No. | Circle / Division | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kanara Circle (Shirsi) - Kali Hulu Sanrakshit Pradesha, Dandeli Wildlife Division | 01 (Backlog: SC-Others-1) |
| 2 | Kodagu Circle (Madikeri) - Madikeri Regional Division | 11 (Fresh-10: General-5, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-2, Category-IIB-1; Backlog-1: Category-3B (Others)-1) |
| 3 | Mysuru Circle - Rajiv Gandhi National Park Division, Hunsur | 27 (Fresh-26: General-13, SC-4, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-5, Category-IIB-1, Category-IIIA-1, Category-IIIB-1; Backlog-1: Category-I (Others)-1) |
| 4 | Chamarajanagar Circle - Bandipur Tiger Reserve Division, Bandipur | 09 (Fresh-6: General-3, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-1; Backlog-3: Category-I (Others)-1, SC (Others)-1, General/Women-1) |
| 5 | Shivamoga Circle - Shivamoga Wildlife Division | 09 (General-4, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-2, Category-IIB-1) |
| Total | 57 |
Note: One vacancy in the Mysuru circle's SC category is subject to a pending court order on reservation percentages, dated 25 May 2026. Horizontal reservation also applies for Ex-servicemen, Women, Persons with Disability, Project-Displaced persons, Kannada medium candidates, Rural candidates, and Third Gender candidates, as detailed in each circle's individual notification.
Eligibility
To apply for these posts, you must meet certain conditions. Check the requirements in the table below.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality and Domicile | Must be an Indian citizen. Must live within a notified forest area under Karnataka Forest Department jurisdiction, within Karnataka state. |
| Language | Must be able to speak and understand Kannada. |
| Experience (Qualification) | Experience in elephant management/handling is mandatory. The notification does not ask for specific educational certificates. |
| Marital Status | A male candidate who has a living spouse and marries again without government permission is not eligible. |
| Medical and Character Standards | Must be mentally and physically healthy. Physical condition must allow efficient discharge of duties. Candidates with pending criminal cases or convictions are not eligible. |
| Final Year Candidates | As per official notification |
| Additional Requirements | As per official notification |
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 18 years old. The maximum age limit varies by category. Age is counted as on 03 September 2026.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General Candidates | 35 years |
| Category-IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and other Backward Classes | 38 years |
| Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I | 40 years |
Minimum Age: 18 years as on 03 September 2026.
Age Relaxation:
- A one-time additional relaxation of 5 years in the maximum age limit is given to candidates of all categories for backlog recruitment notified up to 31 December 2027.
- Ex-servicemen get age relaxation equal to their years of armed forces service plus 3 years.
Application Fee
There is no application fee for this recruitment. All candidates can apply for free.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | Nil |
Selection Process
The selection for Elephant Kavadiga posts will be based on eligibility and verification of details. The process includes checking your documents and medical/character standards.
| Stage | Process |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eligibility Check (Nationality, Domicile, Language, Experience) |
| 2 | Document Verification |
| 3 | Medical and Character Standards Check |
| 4 | Final Selection based on rules |
Job Summary
| Board | Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) |
| State | All India |
| Qualification | Other |
| Salary | ₹29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800 |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 03 Sep 2026 |
Related Sections
Note: While every effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, candidates are strongly advised to verify all details, including eligibility criteria, important dates, application procedures, and official notifications, from the respective official government websites before applying.