UKPSC FRO 2025: Exam Date, Syllabus, Vacancy & Full Details

UKPSC FRO Exam 2025 Overview

The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) conducts the Forest Range Officer (FRO) Examination to recruit capable officers for forest management and wildlife conservation across the state. This is a prestigious state-level recruitment, offering candidates the opportunity to serve in environmental governance, manage forest resources sustainably, and implement conservation programs effectively.

Candidates with a graduation degree in specific science and engineering disciplines from a recognized university are eligible to apply. This examination provides an excellent career opportunity for those interested in forest administration, wildlife management, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

What is the UKPSC FRO Exam?

The UKPSC FRO Exam is conducted to select qualified candidates for the post of Forest Range Officer in Uttarakhand. Officers recruited through this exam are entrusted with responsibilities such as:

  • Managing and conserving forest resources to maintain ecological balance.
  • Supervising wildlife protection activities and enforcing environmental laws.
  • Monitoring forest development programs and afforestation projects.
  • Coordinating with local communities and government departments for conservation initiatives.
  • Maintaining records of forest resources and reporting on ecological assessments.
  • Participating in policy implementation for sustainable forest and wildlife management.

These roles demand leadership, integrity, environmental awareness, and a strong commitment to public service and conservation.

UKPSC FRO Exam 2025 Highlights

The UKPSC aims to fill a total of 46 vacancies for Assistant Conservator of Forest, Logging Officer, and Forest Range Officer posts. A brief overview is given below.

OrganizationUttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC)
Post NameAssistant Conservator of Forest, Logging Officer and Forest Range Officer
Vacancies46
CategoryGovt Jobs
Advt. No.A-1/ E-4/FOREST (DR)/ 2024-25
UKPSC FRO Exam Date 202518th May 2025 (Sunday)
Selection ProcessPreliminary Examination, Main Examination, Interview
Job LocationUttarakhand
Official Websitehttps://www.psc.uk.gov.in/

UKPSC FRO 2025 – Important Dates

EventDate
Application Start DateJanuary 30, 2025
Application End DateFebruary 19, 2025
Admit Card Release DateMay 3, 2025
Exam DateMay 18, 2025
Provisional Response Sheet Release DateJune 5, 2025
Objection Window for Response SheetJune 6–12, 2025
Final Answer Key Release DateTo be announced
Result Declaration DateTo be announced

UKPSC FRO Vacancy 2025

UKPSC has announced a total of 46 vacancies. Out of these, 31 vacancies are for FRO posts, 12 for Logging Officer, and 3 for Assistant Conservator of Forest.

Post NameURSCSTOBCEWSTotal
Assistant Conservator of Forest030000000003
Logging Officer070300010112
Forest Range Officer200700010331
Total301000020446

UKPSC FRO 2025 Exam Eligibility Criteria

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following disciplines from a recognized university:

  • Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science/Applications
  • Engineering (Agriculture, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical)
  • Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture
  • Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science, Zoology

2. Age Limit (as of July 1, 2025)

  • Minimum Age: 21 years
  • Maximum Age: 42 years

Age relaxation is applicable as per Uttarakhand government rules.

3. Physical Standards

Candidates must meet the following physical standards:

GenderHeight (General)Height (SC & Hilly Areas)
Male163 cm152 cm
Female150 cm145 cm

4. Application Fee

CategoryApplication FeeProcessing FeeTotal Fee
Unreserved/OBC/EWS₹150₹22.30₹172.30
SC/ST₹60₹22.30₹82.30
PwBDExempted₹22.30₹22.30
Orphan ChildrenExemptedExemptedExempted

UKPSC FRO 2025 Syllabus & Exam Pattern

The selection process includes a Preliminary exam, Mains exam, followed by a physical test and an interview.

UKPSC FRO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

  • The Prelims exam consists of two sections: General Studies (100 questions) and General Intelligence (50 questions).
  • Each question carries 1 mark.
  • There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
  • Marks obtained in Prelims are not considered for the final merit list.
SubjectTotal QuestionsMarksDuration
General Studies and General Intelligence1501502 hours

UKPSC FRO Mains Exam Pattern 2025

  • The Mains exam includes compulsory papers in Hindi, English, and General Knowledge (100 marks each).
  • Candidates must choose two optional papers (200 marks each).
  • A minimum of 35% marks in the General Hindi paper is mandatory.
SubjectsMarksDuration
Hindi (Compulsory)1003 hours
English (Compulsory)1003 hours
General Knowledge (Compulsory)1003 hours
First Optional Paper2003 hours
Second Optional Paper2003 hours
Interview75-
Total775 marks

UKPSC FRO Physical Requirements

Candidates must meet the following chest and walking test requirements:

GenderMinimum HeightChest Measurement
Men163 cm84 cm, Expansion: 5cm
Women150 cm79 cm, Expansion: 5cm
PostsMale (Walking)Female (Walking)Time
Logging Officer & Forest Range Officer25 km16 km4 hours
Assistant Forest Conservator25 km14 km4 hours

UKPSC FRO 2025 Exam Syllabus

Preliminary Examination Syllabus:

  • General Studies: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, Environmental Science, and Uttarakhand specific knowledge.
  • General Science & Technology.
  • Aptitude and Logical Reasoning.

Mains Examination Syllabus:

  • Compulsory Papers: General Hindi, General English, General Knowledge.
  • Optional Subjects: Candidates must select two subjects from a list including Forestry, Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geology, Engineering disciplines, etc.

UKPSC FRO 2025 Salary & Job Profile

UKPSC FRO 2025 Job Profile

The Forest Range Officer (FRO) is responsible for managing forests, wildlife, and natural resources. Key responsibilities include implementing conservation programs, enforcing forest laws, and engaging with local communities.

UKPSC FRO 2025 Salary

  • Pay Scale: Level 8 of the Pay Matrix
  • Monthly Salary: ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100

Additional benefits include DA, HRA, Travel Allowances, and other government perks. FROs have a clear career path with promotions to Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and higher roles.

How to Apply for UKPSC FRO 2025

  1. Visit the official UKPSC website: psc.uk.gov.in.
  2. Navigate to the "Recruitment" or "Notifications" section and find the link for "Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2025."
  3. Read the official notification carefully.
  4. Click on 'Apply Now' and register on the portal if you are a new user.
  5. Fill the application form with accurate personal and educational details.
  6. Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required documents.
  7. Pay the application fee online based on your category.
  8. Review all details and submit the application form.
  9. Print the confirmation page for your records.

Preparation Tips for UKPSC FRO 2025

  • Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
  • Make a consistent daily study plan.
  • Focus on weak areas and improve accuracy.
  • Practice previous year papers and mock tests regularly.
  • Utilize platforms like Invictaa for structured preparation and performance analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the UKPSC Forest Range Officer (FRO) Recruitment 2025?

The UKPSC FRO Recruitment 2025 is a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission to select qualified candidates for the post of Forest Range Officer in the state of Uttarakhand. The recruitment process is structured to ensure that candidates have a combination of academic knowledge, physical fitness, and practical skills relevant to forestry and environmental management. The selection process typically includes a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, a Physical Standards Test, and a personal Interview.

How many vacancies are available for FRO 2025?

For the year 2025, a total of 31 vacancies have been announced for the Forest Range Officer post in Uttarakhand. These vacancies are allocated based on categories such as General, SC, ST, OBC, and other reserved categories according to government norms. The exact distribution ensures fair representation while maintaining the overall merit-based selection.

What is the salary and job profile of an FRO?

Selected Forest Range Officers will receive a salary in the pay scale of ₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100, which corresponds to Level 8 in the state pay matrix. Apart from the basic salary, officers are entitled to allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other perks depending on their posting and responsibilities. The job profile of an FRO involves supervision of forest and wildlife management, implementation of government policies, monitoring illegal activities, and engaging with local communities to promote conservation.

What is the eligibility criteria for UKPSC FRO 2025?

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, or related fields from a recognized university. The age limit is a minimum of 21 years and a maximum of 42 years, with age relaxation applicable for reserved categories. Candidates must also meet the physical standards and medical fitness requirements.

What is the selection process for UKPSC FRO 2025?

The recruitment process is structured in multiple stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type), Main Examination (Descriptive Type), Physical Standards Test, and an Interview. Only candidates who qualify in each stage are eligible to move to the next.

What is the exam pattern for the Preliminary Examination?

The Preliminary Examination is an objective format test to screen candidates. It includes two papers: Paper I – General Studies (covering topics like polity, economy, history, environmental science, and Uttarakhand-specific knowledge) and Paper II – General Aptitude (testing reasoning, numerical ability, and analytical skills).

What is the exam pattern for the Main Examination?

The Main Examination is descriptive and assesses in-depth knowledge. It includes compulsory papers in General Knowledge, General English, and General Hindi, along with two optional subjects chosen by the candidate from a list of science/technical disciplines. The total marks for the Main Examination are 700.

What are the Physical Standards for FRO?

The Physical Standards Test ensures candidates are fit for fieldwork. It includes minimum height requirements for male and female candidates, chest measurements for males, and a walking/running endurance test. This stage is qualifying in nature.

How can candidates apply for UKPSC FRO 2025?

The application process is entirely online via the official UKPSC portal. Candidates must register, fill the application form, upload necessary documents, pay the fee, and submit the form before the last date.

When were the important dates for UKPSC FRO 2025?

The application window was from January 30, 2025, to February 19, 2025. The Preliminary Exam is scheduled for May 18, 2025. Candidates should check the official website for any updates.

How is the merit list prepared?

The final merit list is based on the cumulative scores from the Main Examination and the Interview. The Preliminary Examination and the Physical Standards Test are qualifying in nature and their marks are not added to the final total.

What are the career prospects and growth for an FRO?

An FRO in Uttarakhand has a clear career path with promotions to Deputy Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests, and higher administrative positions based on performance and seniority. It is a secure government job with pension benefits and continuous skill development opportunities.

What should candidates prepare to succeed in the UKPSC FRO 2025?

Candidates should focus on a thorough understanding of forestry and environmental science, stay updated with current affairs, develop reasoning skills, maintain physical fitness, and practice descriptive writing. Solving mock tests and previous year papers is key to success.