KFD Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026 — 57 Posts, Apply Offline by 03 Sep (Karnataka)

Karnataka Forest Department (KFD), Aranya Ilakhe, has released Elephant Kavadiga (Ane Kavadiga) Recruitment 2026 for 57 Group-D posts across five forest circles — Kanara (Shirsi), Kodagu (Madikeri), Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and Shivamogga. This is a Karnataka govt jobs 2026 opportunity under the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2009, for candidates experienced in elephant handling. Candidates residing in forest areas within Karnataka, with working knowledge of Kannada and hands-on elephant handling experience, are eligible to apply offline for their preferred circle. Selected Elephant Kavadigas will be responsible for the care, handling, and management of department elephants at their respective forest circle. The selection process for KFD Elephant Kavadiga 2026 consists of an interview and a practical test assessing elephant handling skill and experience, carrying a total of 100 marks — there is no written examination. No formal educational qualification is prescribed for this post, reflecting its emphasis on practical experience. The KFD Elephant Kavadiga 2026 application must be submitted offline. Candidates can download the circle-specific application form from aranya.gov.in and submit it by post, courier, or in person to the respective Chief Conservator of Forests office. The application window is open from 05 August 2026 (10:00 AM) to 03 September 2026 (5:30 PM). There is no application fee, and no supporting documents need to be enclosed with the application form itself.

• No formal educational qualification prescribed
• Candidates must have experience in elephant handling/management, reside in forest areas within Karnataka, and have working knowledge of Kannada

• As applicable to Group-D employees of Karnataka Forest Department, per department rules

• Experience in elephant handling/management
• Residence in forest areas within Karnataka
• Working knowledge of Kannada language
• No formal educational qualification prescribed
• Age limit as applicable to Group-D employees of Karnataka Forest Department

• No application fee; no documents required to be enclosed with the application form

• Group-D pay scale as per Karnataka Government rules for Elephant Kavadiga posts, plus DA, HRA and other allowances

1. Visit the official website www.aranya.gov.in
2. Open the "Nemakati" (Recruitment) section
3. Download the prescribed application form for your relevant circle (Kanara/Kodagu/Mysuru/Chamarajanagar/Shivamogga)
4. Fill the application form in English (Capital Letters) or Kannada
5. Affix a recent passport-size photograph
6. Check all details carefully before submission
7. Submit the completed application by Post, Courier, or In Person to the respective Chief Conservator of Forests office
8. Ensure the application reaches before 03 September 2026, 5:30 PM
9. Keep a photocopy of the submitted application for future reference
10. Prepare for the interview and practical elephant-handling assessment