NOTIFICATION

Applications are invited online only by `One Time Registration' from qualified candidates for selection as Range Forest Officer to fill the vacancies earmarked for Direct Recruitment from among candidates who possess a Degree in Forestry. The selected candidates shall be required to undergo Range Forest Officer Course in any one of the Institution under the Director of Forestry Education, Government of India for a period as prescribed by the Government of India from time to time and one year practical training in the department. The selection will be subject to the decision of the Director of Forestry Education, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in regard to the conduct of the Course. Candidates shall apply only through the online facility provided in the website of Kerala Public Service Commission viz, www.keralapsc.gov.in . Candidates who have AADHAAR card should add AADHAAR card as

I.D. Proof in their profile.

1. Department : Kerala Forest Department
   
   
2. Name of Post : Range Forest Officer
   
   
3. Scale of Pay : R 39500 - 83000
   
   
4. Number of vacancies : 2 (Two)
   
   

(The above number of vacancies are provisional subject to change according to the allotment of seats by the Director of Forestry Education, Ministry of Forests & Environment, Government of India)

Note: The Ranked List of candidates published by the Kerala Public Service Commission in pursuance of this notification shall cease to be in force after one month from the date of commencement of training (Forest Range Officers Course) or 3 months from the date of coming into force of the ranked list whichever is later.

5. Method of appointment : Direct Recruitment

6. Age limit : 19-31; Candidates born between 02.01.1986 and 01.01.1998 (both dates included) are eligible to apply for the post with usual age relaxation to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities (for other conditions regarding age relaxation please see para 2 of Part II General Conditions).

7. Qualifications:- :

I. Educational Qualifications:

A Degree in Forestry from Kerala Agriculture University or any equivalent Degree from any University, Institution or Deemed University recognized by Government of India or Government of Kerala for this purpose.

II Physical Qualification

(a) Minimum physical standards as prescribed below

For Men For Women

(i)

Height 163 cms Height 150 cms

(ii)

Chest 79 cms (normal)

Chest expansion: 5 cm

Minimum height and chest measurement for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates shall be relaxed by 5 cm and 2.5 cm respectively. The minimum chest expansion of 5 cm shall however be applicable for them also.

Both the male and female candidates must possess the Medical Standards as (b) prescribed below.

1. Ear : Hearing should be perfect
   
   
   1. Eye: Must be certified to possess visual standards specified below without glasses
      
      
      1. Distant vision 6/6 snellen
         
         
      2. Near vision 0.5 snellen
         
         
      3. Colour vision Normal
         
         
      4. Night Blindness Nil
         
         
2. Muscles and Joints No paralysis and all joints with free movements
   
   
3. Nervous system Perfectly normal. Free from any infectious diseases
   
   

(Physical measurement will be taken by the Commission prior to the walking test. Candidates are well advised to ensure their physical measurement before they apply.)

8. Competitive Examination: Candidate will have to appear for a written examination to be conducted by Kerala Public Service Commission on the following subjects.

COMPULSORY SUBJECT

(1)

General Knowledge 100 marks

(2)

English (Essay and Precise writing 100 marks etc)

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

(3) Any two subjects out of the following 200 Marks each

Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Application/Computer Science, Engineering (Agriculture/Chemical/Civil/Computer/Electrical/Electronics/ Mechanical) Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science, Zoology. (The standard of these subjects shall be that of a Bachelors Degree).

Note:- No candidate shall be allowed to take more than one subject of the

following groups

Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Science.

(i)

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Computer Application/Computer Science and Computer Engineering.

(iii) Electrical Engineering and Electronics Engineering.

(iv)

(v)

Mathematics and Statistics.

Note:- Optional subjects selected for examination should be specifically noted on

the application, if not, the application will be summarily rejected.

9. Walking test:-

Male candidates must pass walking test covering a distance of 25 (twenty five) kilometers within four hours on foot and women candidates must cover 16 (sixteen) kms on foot within 4 hours. This test will be arranged by the Kerala Public Service Commission for those who come out successful in the competitive examination.

10. Interview:

Those candidates who are qualified in the written examination will be required to present themselves for an interview at the time and place fixed by the Commission.

11. Health Certificate:

A Health Certificate (in original signed by a Civil Surgeon) testifying that the Candidate has hearing and General Physical fitness for strenuous outdoor work in the Forest Department and showing two identification body marks should also be produced as and when called for. The height and chest (both normal and expanded) should also be distinctly recorded on the certificate, for onward transmission to the Director Forest Education, Govt of India, Dehradun.

Note:

1. Differently Abled candidates are not eligible to apply for this post.
   
   
2. The selected candidates will be sent by the Department before a Medical Board to issue a health certificate and to certify that the candidate is fit to take strenuous, outdoor work in the Forest Department
   
   

1. Candidates are required to be present for the Walking Test, Written Test and interview at their cost.
   
   
2. Ranked List of the qualified candidates will be published and selection will be made from the list. Candidates thus selected by the Kerala Public Service Commission on the basis of the Walking Test, Written Test and Interview shall be able to join the Range Forest Officers Course at any one of the State Forest Service Colleges under Director of Forestry Education.
   
   
3. On successful completion of Range Forest Officers Course in the Forest College, they shall undergo a practical training for one year in the Forest Department.
   
   
4. During the period of Range Forest Officers Course in the Forest College as well as practical training in the Forest Department, the selected candidates shall be paid basic pay and other admissible allowances.
   
   
5. The cost of training including travelling allowances at the rates admissible to them for journeys or tours performed by them in connection with the training shall be borne by the Government. Caution money and mess deposit, if any have to be deposited by the candidate on joining the college.
   
   
6. The period spent on training in the Forest College and practical training in the Forest Department shall be counted for leave and pension.
   
   
7. The selected candidates who do not complete successfully the Range Forest Officers Course will be terminated and will be discharged from the service .
   
   
   1. The candidates finally selected for the course will be required to execute an agreement on stamp paper worth Rs 500/-binding themselves to serve the Government after completion of the course for a minimum period of 5 years. The selected candidates are
      
      
   2. further required to furnish two solvent sureties, solvent to the extent of Rs. 3,00,000/-or permanent Government servants of the Gazetted rank. In the event of failure in the examination and causing any loss to Government thereby or otherwise, they should refund the amount to cover liquidated damages at the rate of interest of 6% per annum on the amount spent on their behalf by Government.
8. The period of probation for the Range Forest Officers appointed shall be two years on duty within a continuous service of three years from the date on which he/she joins after successful completion of training in the Forest College.
   
   
9. Entrance and Training Rules (Revised) 2004 of Government of India and draft forms of agreement and bond to be executed are available for perusal by the selected candidates at the office of the Additional Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration), Thiruvananthapuram during office hours.
   
   
10. Mode of submitting applications:-
    
    

Candidates must register as per ONE TIME REGISTRATION with the official Website of Kerala Public Service Commission www.keralapsc.gov.in before applying for the post. Candidates who have registered can apply by logging on to their profile using their User-ID and password. Candidates must click on the Apply Now button of the respective posts in the Notification Link to apply for a post. The photograph uploaded should be one taken after 31/12/2010. Name of the candidate and the date of taking photograph should be printed at the bottom portion. The photograph once uploaded meeting all requirements shall be valid for 10 years from the date of uploading. There is no change in other instructions regarding the uploading of photographs. No application fee is required. Candidates shall take a printout of the application by clicking the link Registration Card in their profile. Candidates are responsible for the correctness of the personal information and secrecy of password. Before the final submission of the application on the profile candidates must ensure correctness of the information on their profile. They must quote the User-ID for further communication with the Commission. Application submitted is provisional and cannot be deleted or altered after submission. The application will be summarily rejected if noncompliance with the notification is found in due course of processing. Documents to prove qualification, Experience, Community, age etc have to be produced as and when called for.

1. Last date of receipt of applications : 17.01.2018 upto 12 midnight
   
   
2. If Written Test/OMR Test/Online Test is conducted as a part of the selection, Admission Tickets for eligible candidates will be made available in their Profile for One Time
   
   

Registration and the date of downloading will be included in the Examination Calender. Candidates can download Admission Ticket for 15 days from this date. Candidates who have downloaded the Admission Ticket will alone be permitted to attend the examination. (For details please see the General Conditions given below as Part II of this Notification)

(For details, please see the General Conditions given as Part II of this Notification)

SAJU GEORGE, SECRETARY, KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.