The Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) has issued Category No. 153/2026 for direct recruitment to the post of Forest Boat Driver in the Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department. The notification lists 3 existing vacancies: 2 in Thrissur district and 1 in Kozhikode district.
Applications are accepted online through Kerala PSC's One Time Registration system. The notification was published with the 30 September 2026 Gazette, and the last date to submit the application is 4 November 2026 up to 12 midnight.
This is a specialised field post. An SSLC qualification alone is not enough: applicants also need a valid motor boat driving licence, at least 3 years of Boat Driver experience, knowledge of motor-boat engine mechanism and minor repairs, swimming ability, and the prescribed physical and medical standards.
Important eligibility warning: The official notification states that women candidates and differently abled candidates are not eligible to apply for this post. Candidates should read the official notification before submitting an application.
Kerala PSC Forest Boat Driver Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Kerala Public Service Commission |
| Department | Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department |
| Post | Forest Boat Driver |
| Category No. | 153/2026 |
| Recruitment part | Part I – Direct Recruitment |
| Recruitment basis | District-wise |
| Total listed vacancies | 3 |
| Districts | Thrissur and Kozhikode |
| Gazette date | 30 September 2026 |
| Last date | 4 November 2026, up to 12 midnight |
| Pay scale | ₹26,500–₹60,700 |
| Age | 25–40 years, subject to applicable relaxation |
| Basic education | SSLC or equivalent |
| Technical requirement | Valid motor boat driving licence |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years as Boat Driver |
| Application fee | Nil |
| Application mode | Online through Kerala PSC One Time Registration profile |
District-Wise Vacancy Details
| District | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Thrissur | 2 |
| Kozhikode | 1 |
| Total | 3 |
The Commission will prepare a separate ranked list for each district. Applicants must choose only one district for this notification. Applying to more than one district is prohibited.
The notification also states that a candidate appointed from a district-wise ranked list will ordinarily not be eligible for transfer to another district until completing 5 years of continuous service in the district of appointment, subject to the applicable government orders.
Direct Recruitment and By-Transfer Quota
Category No. 153/2026 is the Part I direct-recruitment notification. The notification states that the quota is divided as follows:
| Recruitment channel | Share |
|---|---|
| Direct Recruitment | 70% |
| By Transfer Recruitment | 30% |
The by-transfer stream is notified separately under Category No. 154/2026. This article covers only the direct-recruitment notification under Category No. 153/2026.
Educational and Technical Qualification
Candidates must satisfy all of the essential requirements below.
| Requirement | Official condition |
|---|---|
| Education | SSLC or equivalent examination recognised by the Government of India or Government of Kerala |
| Motor boat licence | Valid motor boat driving licence issued by a competent authority |
| Experience | At least 3 years as Boat Driver |
| Engine knowledge | Basic knowledge of motor boat engine mechanism |
| Minor repair skill | Ability to carry out minor repairs |
| Swimming | Must be able to swim |
The motor boat driving licence must remain valid throughout the relevant selection stages, including the last date for application and any OMR/written test, Physical Efficiency Test, swimming test and practical test.
The notification requires the three-year Boat Driver experience to be supported in the prescribed form. It also specifies that the experience should have been acquired after obtaining the basic academic or other required qualification.
Boat Driver Practical Test
Kerala PSC will assess practical proficiency in boat operation and the candidate's knowledge of motor boat engine mechanism and minor repairs through a practical test.
Candidates should therefore be prepared for hands-on assessment rather than relying only on educational certificates or driving-licence possession.
Swimming Test Standards
Swimming ability is compulsory. Kerala PSC has specified both of the following qualifying requirements:
| Swimming event | Standard |
|---|---|
| 50-metre swimming trial | Complete within 2 minutes |
| Floating | Maintain floating ability for 2 minutes at the deeper side of the pool |
A candidate must qualify in both events to pass the swimming test.
Physical Standards
The notification prescribes the following minimum physical measurements:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Height | 168 cm minimum |
| Chest | 81 cm minimum |
| Chest expansion | 5 cm minimum |
| Minimum height for SC/ST candidates | 160 cm |
| Relaxation in chest expansion | No relaxation |
Physical measurement will be taken before the Physical Efficiency Test. Candidates who do not meet the required measurement will not proceed further in that stage.
Physical Efficiency Test
Candidates must qualify in any 5 of the following 8 events under the National Physical Efficiency One Star Standard for men.
| Event | One Star Standard |
|---|---|
| 100 metres run | 14 seconds |
| High jump | 132.2 cm |
| Long jump | 457.2 cm |
| Putting the shot (7,264 g) | 609.6 cm |
| Throwing the cricket ball | 6,096 cm |
| Rope climbing using hands only | 365.8 cm |
| Pull-ups / chinning | 8 times |
| 1,500 metres run | 5 minutes 44 seconds |
The Commission will announce the tentative schedule for physical measurement and the Physical Efficiency Test separately on its official website.
Medical and Vision Standards
Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed medical standards.
| Medical parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hearing | Perfect |
| Distant vision – right eye | 6/6 Snellen without glasses |
| Distant vision – left eye | 6/6 Snellen without glasses |
| Near vision – right eye | 0.5 Snellen |
| Near vision – left eye | 0.5 Snellen |
| Colour vision | Normal |
| Night blindness | Nil |
| Muscles and joints | No paralysis; free movement of all joints |
| Nervous system | Normal and free from infectious disease |
Each eye must have a full field of vision. The notification treats colour blindness, squint and specified morbid conditions of the eye or eyelids as disqualifying.
At the prescribed stage, candidates must produce the required medical certificate. The vision portion must be completed by an Ophthalmologist in Government service, while the physical-fitness portion must be completed by a Government Medical Officer not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon / Junior Consultant.
Age Limit
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General age band | 25–40 years |
| Eligible date-of-birth range | 2 January 1986 to 1 January 2001, both dates included |
| Upper-age relaxation | As permitted under Kerala PSC General Conditions |
| Maximum age after relaxation | Not above 50 years |
Other Backward Communities and SC/ST candidates are eligible for age relaxation under the applicable Kerala PSC rules and General Conditions.
Pay Scale
The notified scale of pay for Forest Boat Driver is:
₹26,500–₹60,700
The notification does not provide a separate consolidated allowance figure in this recruitment notice. Candidates should treat the notified government pay scale as the authoritative pay information for the post.
Application Fee
No application fee is required.
Kerala PSC applicants should not pay any unofficial person, website or intermediary for submitting the application.
Selection Process
The notification does not publish one fixed calendar covering every stage. It makes provision for the following recruitment assessments and verification steps:
- Written / OMR / Online Test, if conducted by Kerala PSC — eligible candidates must submit confirmation through their profile when instructed.
- Physical measurement.
- Physical Efficiency Test.
- Swimming test.
- Practical test covering boat-driving proficiency, engine mechanism and minor repairs.
- Document and experience verification.
- Medical-fitness verification with the prescribed certificates.
Exam, physical-test and practical-test dates will be communicated separately by Kerala PSC. Candidates should monitor their One Time Registration profile as well as the Commission's examination calendar and official website.
Written-Test Confirmation Rule
If Kerala PSC conducts a written, OMR or online test for this selection, only candidates who submit the required confirmation through their One Time Registration profile within the announced period will be able to generate the admission ticket.
The notification says admission tickets will be available during the last 15 days up to the test date for candidates who have submitted confirmation. Failure to confirm within the notified period can result in rejection of the application for that test.
Weightage Marks
The notification provides for additional weightage in specified cases:
| Credential | Weightage / treatment |
|---|---|
| NCC 'A' Certificate | 2% |
| NCC 'B' Certificate | 3% |
| NCC 'C' Certificate | 5% |
| Student Police Cadet certificate | As per the applicable Government Order |
| Meritorious sportspersons | Extra marks as provided in Kerala PSC General Conditions |
Candidates claiming weightage should keep the relevant certificates ready for verification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Gazette / notification date | 30 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 4 November 2026 |
| Closing time | 12 midnight |
| Written/OMR/online test | To be announced, if conducted |
| Physical measurement / PET | To be announced |
| Swimming test | To be announced |
| Practical test | To be announced |
Post-Appointment Training
A Forest Boat Driver appointed through direct recruitment must undergo training for a period of not more than 3 months at a Forest Training School as prescribed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
The notification states that failure to successfully complete the prescribed training can result in termination and discharge from service.
How to Apply Online
- Open the Kerala PSC One Time Registration Portal.
- Create a Kerala PSC profile if you are not already registered, or sign in using your User ID and password.
- Check that the personal information, identity proof and required profile details are correct.
- Locate Forest Boat Driver – Category No. 153/2026 in the notification section of your profile.
- Click Apply Now for the post.
- Select only one district — Thrissur or Kozhikode.
- Verify your SSLC qualification, valid motor boat driving licence and Boat Driver experience details.
- Submit the application before 4 November 2026, 12 midnight.
- Save a printout or soft copy from the My Applications section for future reference.
The application is treated as provisional after submission and cannot be freely altered or deleted. Candidates should therefore verify every profile entry before final submission.
Documents and Proof to Keep Ready
| Document / proof | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| SSLC / equivalent certificate | Basic educational qualification |
| Valid motor boat driving licence | Mandatory technical qualification |
| Prescribed Boat Driver experience certificate | Proof of minimum 3 years' experience |
| Proof supporting experience period | Verification where called for |
| Date-of-birth proof | Age eligibility |
| Community / reservation certificate | Relaxation or reservation claim where applicable |
| NCC / SPC / sports certificate | Weightage claim where applicable |
| Government ophthalmologist certificate | Prescribed vision standard |
| Government medical officer certificate | Physical fitness |
| Photo ID / Aadhaar linked to profile | Identity verification |
| Application printout | Future correspondence and reference |
Important Candidate Cautions
- Apply to only one district under this notification.
- Do not apply unless the motor boat driving licence is valid and can remain valid through the relevant stages.
- The minimum three-year Boat Driver experience is mandatory and must be supported in the required format.
- Swimming is a qualifying requirement, not an optional skill.
- Physical measurements, PET standards and unaided visual standards are strict eligibility conditions.
- Do not assume that the written-test date is already fixed; Kerala PSC will announce test schedules separately.
- Read the official notification together with Kerala PSC's General Conditions before submitting the form.
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Official Kerala PSC Forest Boat Driver Notification – Category 153/2026 | Full official notification |
| Kerala PSC Gazette Page – 30 September 2026 | Official notification listing and closing date |
| Kerala PSC One Time Registration Login | Apply through candidate profile |
| Kerala Forest Department | Employing department information |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Kerala PSC Forest Boat Driver vacancies are notified in Category 153/2026?
The direct-recruitment notification lists 3 existing vacancies: 2 in Thrissur and 1 in Kozhikode.
What is the last date to apply?
The application must be submitted by 4 November 2026 up to 12 midnight.
What qualification is required?
Candidates need SSLC or equivalent, a valid motor boat driving licence, at least 3 years of Boat Driver experience, engine/minor-repair knowledge and swimming ability, along with the prescribed physical and medical standards.
Can I apply for both Thrissur and Kozhikode?
No. The notification prohibits candidates from applying to more than one district.
Is there an application fee?
No. Kerala PSC states that no application fee is required for this notification.
What is the swimming requirement?
Candidates must complete 50 metres within 2 minutes and demonstrate 2 minutes of floating ability. Both requirements must be qualified.
Is there a Physical Efficiency Test?
Yes. Candidates must qualify in any 5 of 8 notified one-star physical-efficiency events.
What is the salary?
The notified pay scale is ₹26,500–₹60,700.
Is the exam date announced?
No fixed written/OMR/online-test date is given in the notification. Kerala PSC will publish the relevant schedule separately if such a test is conducted.