ICFRE TFRI Recruitment 2025: Complete Guide to Technical Assistant, Forest Guard, and Driver Posts
The ICFRE-Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur, has released an extensive notification for Group ‘C’ Recruitment 2025, inviting online applications for technical assistant, forest guard, and driver posts. This guide offers comprehensive, detailed, and clear information about vacancies, eligibility, the application process, exam patterns, syllabi, age limits, fee structures, selection procedures, and more.

ICFRE TFRI Recruitment 2025 Overview
- Organization: Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)—Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur, M.P.
- Advt. No.: TFRI/JBP/DR-02-5
- Application Start Date: 14 July 2025 (00:00:01 AM)
- Application Last Date: 10 August 2025 (11:59 PM)
- Mode of Application: Online only via MPOnline portal
- Exam (Stage I): 1st week of September 2025 (tentative)
Post-wise Vacancy Details
1. Technical Assistant (Category II, Field/Lab) (Level 5)
- Total Posts: 10
- UR: 01
- EWS: 01
- SC: 02
- ST: 02
- OBC-NCL: 04
- 01 post reserved for ex-servicemen
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in science with botany, zoology, agriculture, forestry, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental science, or statistics from a recognized university.
- Age Limit: 21-30 years (as on 01/07/2025)
- Pay Level: 5 (as per 7th CPC)
2. Forest Guard (Level 2)
- Total Posts: 03
- UR: 02
- OBC-NCL: 01
- Educational Qualification: 12th standard with science from a recognized board.
- Other Requirements: Must complete forestry training during probation.
- Physical Standards:
- Male: Min. height 165 cm, chest 79/84 cm (unexpanded/expanded)
- Female: Min. height 150 cm, chest 74/79 cm
- Walking Test: 25 km (M)/14 km (F) in 4 hours
- Age Limit: 18-27 years (as of 01/07/2025)
- Pay Level: 2 (as per 7th CPC)
3. Driver (Ordinary Grade) (Level 2)
- Total Posts: 01
- UR: 01
- Educational Qualification:
- Matriculation pass
- Valid driving license for motor cars
- Minimum 3 years driving experience
- Desirable: Knowledge of motor mechanisms
- Age Limit: 18-27 years (as of 01/07/2025)
- Pay Level: 2 (as per 7th CPC)
Application Process
Candidates must apply online only via the MPOnline portal.
- Portal: https://www.mponline.gov.in
- Separate application and fee for each post if applying for multiple positions.
- Hard copies or postal applications are not accepted.
Application Fees
Post-Exam Fee Processing Fee Total (Excl. GST) Driver ₹150 ₹700 ₹850 Forest Guard ₹150 ₹700 ₹850 Technical Assistant ₹350 ₹700 ₹1050
- Exempted: Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and ex-servicemen (only the exam fee is exempted)
- Payment via online mode only.
Age Relaxation (As per GoI norms)
- SC/ST: 5 years (reserved posts only)
- OBC-NCL: 3 years (reserved posts only)
- PwBD: 10 years (general), 13 years (OBC-NCL), 15 years (SC/ST)
- Ex-servicemen: Service + 3 years (max 45-50 years depending on category)
- Central Govt. employees: Up to 40-45 years depending on category
Selection Procedure
- Stage I: Written Examination (MCQ-based, bilingual)
- Stage II: Skill/Physical/Trade Test (qualifying)
Candidates must clear Stage I to qualify for Stage II.
Written Exam Details

Technical Assistant
- Total Questions: 100 MCQ
- Max Marks: 100
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Sections:
- General Awareness & Reasoning—20
- English & General Science—20
- Arithmetic – 20
- Relevant Subject (Agriculture, Forestry, Botany, Zoology)—40
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer
- Qualifying Marks:
- UR: 50%
- OBC-NCL: 45%
- SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-servicemen: 40%
Forest Guard
- Total Questions: 100 MCQ
- Max Marks: 100
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Sections:
- General Awareness—30
- Arithmetic, Mental Ability & Reasoning—30
- General English—10
- Science (Intermediate level) – 30
- Physical Test: Walking, Height & Chest Measurement
- Note: No minimum qualifying marks in written exam.

Driver
- Total Questions: 100 MCQ
- Max Marks: 100
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Sections:
- General English—25
- General Intelligence & Reasoning—25
- Numerical Aptitude – 25
- General Awareness—25
- Driving Test: Knowledge of motor mechanisms, traffic rules, and signals.
Physical & Medical Standards for Forest Guard
- Walking Test:
- Male—25km in 4 hours
- Female—14km in 4 hours
- Vision: Clear 6/6 with/without glasses, color blindness test
- Medical Fitness: As per norms
Exam Centers (Indicative List)
- Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Chandigarh, New Delhi (NCR), Coimbatore, Patna, Dehradun, Prayagraj, Guwahati, Raipur, Hyderabad, and Ranchi.
Candidates must give three preferences. Allocation subject to availability.
Syllabus Highlights
Technical Assistant
- General Awareness: India & neighbors, history, culture, geography, polity, economy
- Reasoning: Analogy, series, coding-decoding
- English: Grammar, comprehension
- Arithmetic: Percentages, ratios, profit & loss
- Subject-specific: Agriculture, Forestry, Botany, Zoology
Forest Guard
- General Awareness: Current affairs, general knowledge
- Reasoning: Mental ability
- English: Basics, grammar
- Science: Intermediate level
Driver
- English: Grammar, vocabulary
- Reasoning: Non-verbal, analytical
- Numerical Aptitude: Basic math
- General Awareness: India, environment, polity
Important Instructions
- Candidates must read the detailed advertisement carefully.
- Use only the MPOnline portal to apply.
- No re-evaluation of written exams.
- Bring original ID proof for the exam.
- Electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited.
- Adhere to strict conduct rules during exams.
Reservation Policy
- Reserved category candidates must have valid, up-to-date certificates.
- OBC-NCL certificate should be issued on/after 01 April 2025.
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL can compete in the UR category if meeting criteria without relaxation.
Posting Location
- Primarily at ICFRE-TFRI, Jabalpur, or Skill Development Centre, Chhindwara.
- Transferable anywhere under ICFRE in India.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria for Each Post
Technical Assistant (Category II)
We emphasize that applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least one of the specified subjects. Provisional certificates and mark sheets will be accepted in the absence of the final degree, but they must cover all academic years. The institute will not entertain claims based on incomplete or ambiguous documentation.
For those with grade point averages (GPAs) instead of percentage marks, it is mandatory to provide a certified conversion formula from the awarding university. This ensures that all candidates are assessed on an equal footing during merit preparation.

Forest Guard Requirements
Forest Guards must pass a Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) and Medical Standard Test, making it crucial for candidates to maintain good health and physical fitness.
Medical Fitness Details:
- Vision must be 6/6 with or without spectacles.
- Must pass a color blindness test.
- No serious medical conditions that impede field duties.
Candidates from northeastern states are eligible for height relaxation as per Government of India norms, ensuring inclusivity and regional balance.
Driver (Ordinary Grade) Detailed Profile
This post demands a minimum of 3 years of driving experience for light motor vehicles. A valid driving license is essential and will be verified during the skill test. Candidates must also demonstrate
- Knowledge of traffic rules and signals
- Ability to remove minor mechanical defects
- Safe driving habits under varied conditions
The driving test will evaluate practical skills on the road, ensuring only the most competent candidates are selected.
Exam Scheme: Negative Marking and Tie-Breaker Rules
We stress the presence of negative marking (1/3 per wrong answer) across all posts. Candidates must practice precision while answering.
Tie-Breaker Rules:
- Older candidate (by DOB) ranked higher.
- Alphabetical order of names.
- Higher % in qualifying degree.
This transparent process ensures fairness and merit-based selection.
Comprehensive Fee Payment Rules
All fees must be paid online only via MPOnline. No other payment mode will be accepted. Candidates applying for more than one post must pay separate fees for each.
Note that processing fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal or rejection of applications. MPOnline may also charge for optional services like
- Editing application forms
- Submitting objections to answer keys
Candidates must budget for such costs separately.
Important Age Calculation Rules
- Crucial Date: 01/07/2025
- All age limits and relaxations will be calculated with respect to this date only.
Relaxations for government employees and widows/divorced women have been carefully detailed in the notification, ensuring compliance with the latest DoPT norms.
Posting and Transfer Policy
Candidates selected will be primarily posted at ICFRE-TFRI, Jabalpur, or ICFRE Skill Development Centre, Chhindwara. However, they carry a liability to serve at any ICFRE institute or center across India.
We encourage applicants to be ready for pan-India transfers, fostering a national perspective in forestry research and conservation.
Reservation Policy and Category Certificates
To claim reservation, candidates must produce valid certificates:
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL must present certificates issued before the last date of application.
- OBC-NCL candidates must prove non-creamy layer status as per the latest central list, valid from 1 April 2025 onward.
Failing this, candidates will be treated as UR (Unreserved) even if they applied in reserved categories.
ICFRE-TFRI Recruitment Ethics and Conduct Rules
Strict anti-fraud measures are in place:
- Impersonation, cheating, or use of unfair means will lead to cancellation and multi-year debarment.
- No candidate may bring electronic devices into the exam hall.
- Candidates must behave respectfully with exam staff; any intimidation leads to severe penalties.
The institute has reserved the right to cancel or change exam centers without prior notice if required for administrative reasons.
Advisory on PwBD Candidates
ICFRE-TFRI ensures full compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Candidates with a minimum 40% disability are eligible for reservation and relaxations as per rules.
Scribe Facility:
- Available for certain categories on certified need.
- Candidates must declare scribe details in advance and ensure the scribe’s qualification is lower than their own.
Contact and Support
Candidates must regularly check:
for the latest updates, admit cards, exam dates, answer keys, and results. The institute will not send individual notifications via post or email.
Final Tips for Applicants
- Read the full notification carefully before applying.
- Keep scanned copies of all documents ready.
- Pay fees early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
- Practice previous years’ MCQs to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern.
- Focus on physical fitness (especially Forest Guard candidates).
Conclusion
ICFRE-TFRI’s recruitment offers prestigious Group ‘C’ positions with government pay scales and allowances. Candidates must ensure timely application, accurate documents, and thorough preparation for the competitive exams.
Notification Pdf Click Here
Apply Link Click Here
Official Website Click Here
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the ICFRE TFRI posts?
Candidates must apply online through the MPOnline portal only.
What is the age limit for Technical Assistant?
21 to 30 years as on 01 July 2025.
Is there age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC?
Yes, as per Government of India norms, with detailed relaxations outlined in the notification.
What are the exam fees for Forest Guard?
₹150 exam fee + ₹700 processing fee + GST (women/SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-servicemen exempted from exam fee).
What is the exam pattern for Driver post?
100 MCQs covering English, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, and General Awareness.
Is the written exam bilingual?
Yes, it will be in both English and Hindi.
Will there be negative marking?
Yes, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Where will selected candidates be posted?
Primarily at TFRI Jabalpur or its centres, with transferable liability anywhere in India.
Can I apply for more than one post?
Yes, but you must submit separate applications and fees for each.
How will I know my exam center?
It will be announced on the MPOnline portal and the TFRI website.