Are you aspiring for a prestigious government career in Madhya Pradesh? The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB), Bhopal, has released an exciting notification for the Combined Recruitment Exam 2026! This massive recruitment drive, a true Sarkari Naukri opportunity, aims to fill a staggering 1679 vacancies across various departments including Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari, and Assistant Jail Superintendent. If you meet the eligibility criteria, this is your golden chance to secure a stable and rewarding position with the Madhya Pradesh government. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
The online application window for these sought-after posts opens on February 28, 2026, and closes on March 14, 2026. Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly and apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute rush. With competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a clear career path, these positions offer a robust start to your professional journey. Read on for a complete breakdown of all the details you need to know to successfully apply!
🎯 Quick Highlights
- Organization: Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB)
- Post Names: Forest Guard (वनरक्षक), Field Guard (क्षेत्ररक्षक), Jail Prahari (जेल प्रहरी), Assistant Jail Superintendent (सहायक जेल अधीक्षक)
- Total Vacancies: 1679 Posts
- Salary: Up to ₹1,14,800/month (Post-wise)
- Application Start Date: 📅 28 February 2026
- Application Last Date: ⚠️ 14 March 2026 (Apply Soon!)
- Exam Date: 07 April 2026 onwards
- Official Website: esb.mp.gov.in
📋 Vacancy Details (Total: 1679 Posts)
The MP ESB recruitment drive for 2026 features a substantial number of vacancies across four key positions. Here's a detailed, post-wise breakdown:
Forest Guard (वनरक्षक) - Total: 728 Posts
| Category | Open (General) | Ex-Servicemen | Home Guard | Contract Worker | Total Posts |
| Unreserved (UR) | 185 | 24 | 90 | 11 | 310 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 84 | 12 | 42 | 05 | 143 |
| Other Backward Class (OBC) | 117 | 18 | 57 | 06 | 198 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 48 | 04 | 23 | 02 | 77 |
| Grand Total (Forest Guard) | 434 | 58 | 212 | 24 | 728 |
Note: 1% of total vacancies (7 posts) are reserved for National/International outstanding sportspersons and are subsumed within the respective categories. No separate reservation for PwD or women (women selected on merit).
Field Guard (क्षेत्ररक्षक) - Total: 169 Posts
| Category | Open (General) | Ex-Servicemen | Home Guard | Contract Worker | Total Posts |
| Unreserved (UR) | 14 | 02 | 06 | 22 | 44 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 07 | 02 | 05 | 14 | 28 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 10 | 02 | 05 | 17 | 34 |
| Other Backward Class (OBC) | 13 | 03 | 07 | 23 | 46 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 04 | 01 | 03 | 09 | 17 |
| Grand Total (Field Guard) | 48 | 10 | 26 | 85 | 169 |
Note: 1% of total vacancies (2 posts) are reserved for National/International outstanding sportspersons and are subsumed within the respective categories. No separate reservation for PwD or women (women selected on merit).
Jail Prahari (जेल प्रहरी) - Total: 757 Posts
| Category | Open (Male) | Female | Ex-Servicemen (Male) | Ex-Servicemen (Female) | Home Guard (Male) | Home Guard (Female) | Total Posts |
| Unreserved (UR) | 99 | 53 | 16 | 09 | 49 | 27 | 253 |
| EWS | 11 | 06 | 02 | 01 | 05 | 03 | 28 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 47 | 26 | 08 | 04 | 23 | 13 | 121 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 59 | 32 | 10 | 05 | 29 | 16 | 151 |
| Other Backward Class (OBC) | 80 | 43 | 13 | 07 | 40 | 21 | 204 |
| Grand Total (Jail Prahari) | 296 | 160 | 49 | 26 | 146 | 80 | 757 |
Note: 35% horizontal reservation for women. Posts are not reserved for PwD.
Assistant Jail Superintendent (सहायक जेल अधीक्षक) - Total: 25 Posts
| Category | Open (Male) | Female | Ex-Servicemen (Male) | Ex-Servicemen (Female) | Total Posts |
| Unreserved (UR) | 05 | 02 | 01 | 00 | 08 |
| EWS | 02 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 03 | 02 | 00 | 00 | 05 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 05 | 02 | 01 | 00 | 08 |
| Other Backward Class (OBC) | 02 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
| Grand Total (Assistant Jail Superintendent) | 17 | 06 | 02 | 00 | 25 |
Note: 35% horizontal reservation for women. Posts are not reserved for PwD.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before applying. Applications from ineligible candidates will be rejected.
Age Limit: (As on 01 January 2026)
- Minimum Age:
- 18 Years for Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari.
- 21 Years for Assistant Jail Superintendent.
- Maximum Age (General/Open Competition):
- Age Relaxation (for Madhya Pradesh Domiciles only):
- Women (Unreserved), SC/ST/OBC, Government Employees, Employees of Corporations/Boards/Autonomous Bodies, Home Guards: Up to 38 years (includes 5 years relaxation).
- Inter-caste Marriage Awardees: Additional 5 years relaxation for spouse.
- Vikram Awardees: Additional 5 years relaxation.
- Retrenched Government Servants: Service period (max 7 years) deducted from age, final age not more than 3 years above max age limit.
- Ex-Servicemen: Service period deducted from age, final age not more than 3 years above max age limit.
- Contract Employees: Up to 55 years (after including all relaxations, overall maximum for contract employees is 55 years).
- Overall Maximum Age Limit (after all relaxations): 38 Years (except for Contract Employees, where it can go up to 55 years).
Educational Qualification:
- Forest Guard (वनरक्षक) & Field Guard (क्षेत्ररक्षक): Candidates must have passed 10th class (High School under 10+2 system or Old Higher Secondary) from a recognized board/institution in Madhya Pradesh.
- Jail Prahari (जेल प्रहरी): Candidates must have passed 10+2 system or Higher Secondary examination from a recognized board.
- Assistant Jail Superintendent (सहायक जेल अधीक्षक): Candidates must hold a Graduation Degree from a recognized University.
Other Essential Criteria:
- Nationality: Indian Citizen is mandatory. Citizens of Nepal or Bhutan may also apply with a valid certificate under MP Civil Services Recruitment Rules 1961.
- MP Employment Exchange Registration: All candidates applying for these posts must have valid registration with the Madhya Pradesh State Employment Exchange. This is mandatory for MP domiciled candidates.
- Domicile: Only MP Domiciles are eligible for reservation and age relaxation benefits. Candidates from other states can apply only under the Unreserved/Open category.
💰 Salary & Benefits
Successful candidates will be appointed with attractive salary packages and benefits. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Forest Guard (वनरक्षक) & Field Guard (क्षेत्ररक्षक):
- Pay Scale: ₹19,500 - ₹62,000 (As per 7th Pay Commission)
- Jail Prahari (जेल प्रहरी):
- Pay Scale: ₹5,200 - ₹20,200 + Grade Pay ₹1,900
- 7th Pay Commission Level: Level 4, approx. ₹19,500 - ₹62,000.
- Assistant Jail Superintendent (सहायक जेल अधीक्षक):
- Pay Scale: ₹36,200 - ₹1,14,800
- 7th Pay Commission Level: Level 9.
Probation Period: All selected candidates will undergo a 3-year probation period. During probation, a stipend will be paid:
- First Year: 70% of the minimum pay scale.
- Second Year: 80% of the minimum pay scale.
- Third Year: 90% of the minimum pay scale.
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will receive various allowances and benefits as per Madhya Pradesh Government rules from time to time.
📝 Selection Process
The selection for MP ESB Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari, and Assistant Jail Superintendent posts involves two main stages:
- Stage 1: Written Examination (Computer Based Test - CBT)
- Conducted by MP ESB, Bhopal.
- 100 objective-type questions for 100 marks.
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Medium: Hindi and English.
- Negative Marking: Yes, 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Qualifying Marks: Unreserved category candidates must score a minimum of 33%, while SC/ST/OBC candidates need 23%. EWS candidates receive a 10% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks.
- Candidates will be shortlisted for the next stage based on their merit in the written exam. For Forest Guard, 5 times the number of vacancies (category-wise, district-wise) will be called. For Jail Prahari and Assistant Jail Superintendent, 10 times the number of vacancies will be called.
- Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET) / Walk Test
- Conducted by the respective departments (Forest Department for Forest/Field Guard, Jail Department for Jail Prahari/Assistant Jail Superintendent).
- This stage is qualifying in nature; no marks are awarded. Candidates must meet prescribed physical standards and clear the respective physical tests.
- Document Verification: All original documents will be verified during this stage.
- Final Merit List:
- A final merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained in the written examination, subject to qualifying the Physical Test and Document Verification.
- Tie-breaking Rule: In case of a tie in written exam marks, candidates will be prioritized based on marks in the online exam, and if still tied, then by age (older candidate preferred).
🏋️ Physical Standards & Tests
Meeting the prescribed physical standards and clearing the physical efficiency tests are crucial for selection. Details for each post are as follows:
For Forest Guard (वनरक्षक) & Field Guard (क्षेत्ररक्षक):
| Physical Standard | Male | Female |
| Height | 163 cm | 150 cm |
| Chest (Normal) | 79 cm | Not Applicable |
| Chest (Expansion) | 5 cm (minimum) | Not Applicable |
| Walk Test (4 Hours) | 25 km | 14 km |
Note for Forest Guard & Field Guard: SC/ST Male candidates require a minimum height of 152 cm, and SC/ST Female candidates require 145 cm. Chest relaxation of 5 cm (74 cm normal, 79 cm expanded) for Naxal-affected areas of MP.
For Jail Prahari (जेल प्रहरी):
| Physical Standard/Test | Male | Female |
| Height | 165 cm | 158 cm |
| Chest (Normal) | 83 cm | Not Applicable |
| 800 Meter Run Time | 2 min 50 sec (1 attempt) | 4 min 00 sec (1 attempt) |
| Shot Put (Weight) | 20 feet (7.260 kg ball) (3 attempts) | 16 feet (4.00 kg ball) (3 attempts) |
Note for Jail Prahari: Ex-Servicemen have 3 min 15 sec for 800m run and 15 feet (7.260kg) for Shot Put. Visual acuity must be normal. No knock-knees or flat feet. PwD are not eligible.
For Assistant Jail Superintendent (सहायक जेल अधीक्षक):
| Physical Standard/Test | Male | Female |
| Height | 168 cm | 155 cm |
| Chest (Normal) | 84 cm | Not Applicable |
| Chest (Expansion) | 5 cm (minimum to 89 cm) | Not Applicable |
| 800 Meter Run Time | 2 min 40 sec (1 attempt) | 3 min 40 sec (1 attempt) |
| Long Jump | 13 feet (3 attempts) | 10 feet (3 attempts) |
| Shot Put (Weight) | 19 feet (7.260 kg ball) (3 attempts) | 15 feet (4.00 kg ball) (3 attempts) |
Note for Assistant Jail Superintendent: Ex-Servicemen have 3 min 15 sec for 800m run and 15 feet (7.260kg) for Shot Put and 10 feet for Long Jump. Visual acuity must be normal. No knock-knees or flat feet. PwD are not eligible.
💳 Application Fee
Candidates must pay a non-refundable application fee as per their category. The fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Fee per Question Paper | MPOnline Portal Fee (Kiosk) | Registered Citizen User Login Fee |
| Unreserved (UR) | ₹500/- | ₹60/- | ₹20/- |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD (MP Domicile) | ₹250/- | ₹60/- | ₹20/- |
Note: If applying for multiple question papers, the fee is calculated per paper. An additional fee of ₹20 + ₹40 (portal fee) will be charged for application form corrections.
📅 Important Dates
Mark these crucial dates in your calendar so you don't miss any step of the application process:
| Event | Date |
| Application Start Date | 28 February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 14 March 2026 |
| Application Correction Start Date | 28 February 2026 |
| Application Correction Last Date | 19 March 2026 |
| Examination Date | 07 April 2026 (Starting From) |
🔗 How to Apply Online
Follow these simple steps to successfully apply for the MP ESB Combined Recruitment Exam 2026:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB) official portal: www.esb.mp.gov.in.
- Find Recruitment Link: Look for the "Online Application" or "Recruitment" section on the homepage.
- Read Notification Carefully: Download and thoroughly read the official notification (Rule Book) for all posts (Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari, Assistant Jail Superintendent) to understand eligibility, instructions, and guidelines.
- New Registration / Login: If you are a new user, complete the one-time registration process. Existing users can log in with their credentials.
- Fill Application Form: Carefully fill in all mandatory details, including personal information, educational qualifications, and post preferences. Ensure district preference is indicated for Forest Guard posts.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your recent colored photograph, signature, and self-declaration text as per the specified format and size. Ensure your photograph is not older than 3 months and clearly shows both ears.
- Pay Application Fee: Select your category and preferred payment method (Credit Card/Debit Card/Internet Banking/MPOnline Kiosk) to pay the application fee.
- Review and Submit: Before final submission, review your entire application form for any errors. Make corrections if necessary (within the correction window and by paying the correction fee).
- Print Application: After successful submission and fee payment, download and print your application form for future reference.
💡 Important Tips
- Document Readiness: Keep all necessary documents (educational certificates, caste certificates, domicile, employment exchange registration, photo ID, etc.) ready in digital format before starting the application.
- Eligibility Check: Double-check the post-specific eligibility criteria, especially for physical standards and educational qualifications, to avoid disqualification.
- Photo & Signature: Ensure your photograph meets the specified requirements (recent, clear, white background, no glasses unless required, name and date on photo if applicable).
- Early Application: Apply well before the last date to prevent server issues or unexpected technical glitches.
- Multiple Post Preferences: If eligible for multiple posts, carefully select your preferences as per the instructions to ensure your application is considered for all desired roles.
- Stay Updated: Regularly check the official MP ESB website for any announcements or updates regarding the recruitment process, admit cards, or results.
