MPESB Combined Recruitment Test 2026: Apply for 1,679 Vacancies

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB / MP Vyapam) has announced a major recruitment drive, offering 1,679 vacancies across prominent state departments. This comprehensive Combined Recruitment Test 2026 covers positions such as Forest Guard (Van Rakshak), Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak), Jail Prahari (Jail Warden), and Assistant Jail Superintendent (Sahayak Jail Adhikshak). Aspiring candidates looking to secure a government job in Madhya Pradesh can review the essential details, eligibility criteria, exam schedules, and selection procedures outlined below.

For official updates and notifications, candidates should frequently visit the official MPESB website at https://esb.mp.gov.in/. Additionally, aspirants can review the detailed MPESB Recruitment 2026 Rule Book / Notification PDF for exhaustive guidelines.

MPESB Recruitment 2026 Highlights

Here is a quick overview of the essential highlights regarding the MPESB Combined Recruitment Test 2026:

• 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 (Assistant Jail Superintendent)
• Departments: Van Vibhag (Forest Department) & Jail Vibhag (Prison Department)
• Total Vacancies: 1679
• MPESB Exam Date 2026: 4th to 19th June 2026
• Selection Process: Written Examination, Physical Fitness Test (PFT) / Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, Medical Examination
• Official Website: https://esb.mp.gov.in/

Important Dates & Exam Schedule

Applicants must keep track of all major milestone dates for the application window, admit card distribution, and examination cycle.

• Rule Book / Notification Released: 27 February 2026
• Online Application Start Date: 27th February 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 30th April 2026
• Online Form Correction Dates: 30th April 2026
• MP Forest Guard Admit Card 2026: 28th May 2026
• Exam Date: 4th to 19th June 2026

As candidates prepare for the upcoming tests, they can access the MP Forest Guard & Jail Prahari Admit Card 2026: Official Download Link as well as the MP Forest Guard Admit Card 2026 table link once released.

Daily Shift Timings

• First Shift: Reporting Time 8 am to 9 am | Instructions 9:50 am to 10 am (10 Minutes) | Exam Timing 10 am to 12 pm (2 Hours)
• Second Shift: Reporting Time 1 pm to 2 pm | Instructions 2:50 pm to 3 pm (10 Minutes) | Exam Timing 3 pm to 5 pm (2 hours)

Vacancy Distribution

The recruitment drive allocates 1,679 total slots across the Forest Department and Prison Department.

• Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) - Van Vibhag: 728 vacancies
• Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak) - Van Vibhag: 169 vacancies
• Jail Prahari / Jail Warden - Jail Vibhag: 757 vacancies
• Assistant Jail Superintendent - Jail Vibhag: 25 vacancies
• Total: 1679 vacancies

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

Forest Guard (Van Rakshak)

• Unreserved (UR): 310
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 3
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 434
• Other Backward Class (OBC): 255
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 77
• Total: 728

Jail Prahari

• Unreserved (UR): 253
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 121
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 151
• Other Backward Class (OBC): 204
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 28
• Total: 757

Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak)

• Unreserved (UR): 44
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 28
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 34
• Other Backward Class (OBC): 46
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 17
• Total: 169

Assistant Jail Superintendent

• Unreserved (UR): 08
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 02
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 05
• Other Backward Class (OBC): 08
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 02
• Total: 25

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy the precise educational requirements and age limits to apply successfully.

Educational Qualifications

• Van Rakshak: Passed 10th (High School) from Madhya Pradesh Secondary Education 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 or from a recognized institution.
• Jail Prahari: Completed at least high school under the 10+2 system or higher secondary under the old system.
• Sahayak Jail Adhikshak: Passed Graduation from a recognized University.

Age Limit & Relaxations (as on 01/01/2026)

• Minimum Age: 18 years for all categories
• General (Unreserved): Maximum 33 Years
• SC / ST / OBC / EWS (MP Domicile): Maximum 38 Years (5 years relaxation)
• Women (General/UR of MP): Maximum 38 Years (5 years relaxation)
• Ex-Serviceman / Home Guard: As per the rules (Relaxation applicable)

Application Fee

• General / OBC (Non-MP Domicile): Rs. 500/- per paper
• SC / ST / OBC (MP Domicile): Rs. 250/- per paper
• Additional Portal Charges: Rs. 20/- (Online) / Rs. 60/- (Kiosk)

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The written examination consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions designed to test knowledge across five primary subjects. Candidates can reference MP Jail Prahari Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: Full Details, MP Forest Guard Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: View Here, and practice using MP Forest Guard Previous Year Question Papers: Download PDF.

• Objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
• Total Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 100
• Duration: 2 hours
• Subjects: General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English, General Mathematics, General Science

Minimum Qualifying Marks

• General / OBC (Outside MP): 40%
• SC (MP Domicile): 33%
• ST / OBC (MP Domicile): 23%

Selection Process & Physical Details

The selection process comprises a Written Examination, Physical Fitness Test (PFT) / Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Document Verification, and a Medical Examination.

Physical Standards

• Forest Guard / Field Guard - Male: 25 km walk in 4 hours
• Forest Guard / Field Guard - Female: 14 km walk in 4 hours
• Jail Prahari - Male: 800m run in 2 min 50 sec + Shot Put
• Jail Prahari - Female: 800m run in 4 min + Shot Put
• Asst. Jail Superintendent - Male: 800m run, Long Jump, Shot Put
• Asst. Jail Superintendent - Female: 800m run, Long Jump, Shot Put

Salary 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. 114800/-

How to Apply Online for MP Forest Guard Vacancy 2026?

Follow these structured steps to complete your online application:

1. Visit the official Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB / MP Vyapam) website, www.esb.mp.gov.in or www.esb.mponline.gov.in
2. On the homepage, click on “Apply Online” under the Van Rakshak & Jail Prahari Combined Recruitment Test – 2026 link.
3. Register using your Aadhaar-based authentication (Aadhaar is mandatory for MP government recruitments).
4. Read the full Rule Book / Detailed Advertisement carefully before proceeding.
5. Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details.
6. Upload required documents: recent passport-size photograph and digital signature in the prescribed format.
7. Pay the application fee through the available online payment modes.
8. Review all information carefully before clicking the Submit button.
9. Download and print the application form and acknowledgement receipt for future reference.