If you have been waiting for a solid central government job opportunity in Uttarakhand, the FRI Recruitment 2026 was hard to miss. Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun — which operates under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) — officially released its Group C notification under Advertisement No. 1/FRI/GC/2026, announcing a total of 83 vacancies across multiple posts after the cancellation of the LDC position.
The application window has now closed, and candidates who successfully submitted their forms are now waiting for the CBT exam date. Everything you need to know — from vacancy breakdown and eligibility to the selection process and fee details — is covered right here in one place.
Important Dates for FRI Group C Recruitment 2026
Here is the complete schedule for this recruitment cycle at a glance. Since the application window is now closed, the focus naturally shifts to the CBT exam date — which is expected to be released by FRI on their official website very soon.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 4th May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 3rd June 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 3rd June 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| LDC Post Cancellation Update | June 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | June 2026 (Tentative — Awaited) |
| Admit Card Release | To be Announced |
FRI Dehradun Group C Vacancy 2026 — Post-Wise Breakdown
A total of 83 vacancies are now available after FRI cancelled the Lower Division Clerk (LDC) post. Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) dominates the list with 45 seats — the most accessible entry-level position requiring only a 10th pass qualification. Here is the complete post-wise vacancy table:
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) | 45 |
| Technician (Field/Lab Research) | 11 |
| Technician (Maintenance) | 09 |
| Forest Guard | 07 |
| Technical Assistant (Field/Lab) | 04 |
| Store Keeper | 03 |
| Stenographer Grade II | 02 |
| Library Information Assistant | 02 |
| Total | 83 |
Worth noting — only 2 seats each for Stenographer Grade II and Library Information Assistant mean these posts will see very tight competition. If you have applied for one of these, your preparation needs to be exceptionally strong.
Eligibility Criteria — Education Qualification & Age Limit
Before checking your application status or preparing for the exam, make sure you actually meet the eligibility criteria for the post you applied for. Here is the post-wise breakdown:
| Post Name | Educational Qualification | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) | 10th Pass (Matriculation) | 18–27 Years |
| Forest Guard | 12th Pass with Science | 18–27 Years |
| Technician (Maintenance) | Matriculation + ITI Certificate | 18–30 Years |
| Store Keeper | 12th Pass | 18–27 Years |
| Technician (Field/Lab Research) | 10+2 Science with 60% Marks | 18–30 Years |
| Stenographer Grade II | 12th Pass + Stenography Skill | 18–27 Years |
| Technical Assistant (Field/Lab) | Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Relevant Subjects) | 21–30 Years |
| Library Information Assistant | Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science | 18–27 Years |
The age limit is calculated as on 3rd June 2026 (the closing date of online application). Age relaxation applies as per government norms for reserved categories:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| PwD (General) | 10 Years |
| PwD + SC/ST | 15 Years |
| PwD + OBC | 13 Years |
Application Fee for FRI Recruitment 2026
The application fee was to be paid online at the time of form submission. Here is what each category was required to pay:
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹1,500 (₹800 Application + ₹700 Processing) |
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹700 (Processing Fee Only) |
Candidates who applied for the now-cancelled LDC post will get their complete fee refunded. This refund will be processed by FRI automatically — no separate request is needed from your side.
FRI Group C Selection Process 2026
Getting selected for any FRI Group C post is a multi-stage process. You need to clear each round to move forward. Here is how it works step by step:
- 1Computer-Based Test (CBT) — Stage I
This is the first and most crucial round. The CBT is conducted separately for different posts. The exam tests General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and subject-specific knowledge depending on your post. Negative marking applies — 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer for Technical posts and Library Assistant, and 1/4th mark for Forest Guard, MTS, Steno, and Store Keeper. - 2Descriptive Test — Stage II
Candidates who qualify the CBT proceed to the Descriptive Test. This typically includes a short essay (around 300 words) and a letter/application — one in Hindi and one in English. It tests your written communication ability. - 3Skill / Trade / Physical Test — Stage III
This stage is post-specific. Forest Guard candidates need to clear a physical standard test. Stenographer candidates must demonstrate typing and shorthand skill. Technical and lab posts may have a trade/practical test. Only shortlisted candidates from Stage II are called for this round.
The final merit list is prepared based on CBT marks for candidates who qualify the Descriptive and Skill tests. So, your CBT score is the most critical factor in the entire selection process.
Salary Structure Under 7th CPC
FRI Group C posts offer salaries under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The pay range varies by post level. For example, Technical Assistant and Library Information Assistant fall in the higher pay brackets (up to ₹35,400 basic), while MTS falls in Pay Level-1. All posts come with standard central government allowances including HRA, DA, and transport allowance, making the overall package quite attractive for a Group C position.
📢 Stay Updated — FRI Exam Date Coming Soon
The CBT exam date for FRI Recruitment 2026 is expected to be announced on the official website. Save the link below and check regularly for admit card and exam schedule updates.Visit fri.icfre.gov.in →
LDC Post Cancellation — What You Need to Know
This is something many candidates have been asking about. FRI officially cancelled the Lower Division Clerk (LDC) post after the application process was already underway. The total vacancy count has therefore been revised from the initially advertised 91 down to 83. If you had applied and paid fees specifically for the LDC post, the refund will be credited back to your original payment source — you do not need to raise a complaint or send any request.
This kind of post-cancellation is not uncommon in central government recruitments. If you had applied for only the LDC post, unfortunately you will not be participating in the upcoming exam. However, candidates who applied for multiple posts remain eligible for those remaining positions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When is the FRI Recruitment 2026 exam date?
The CBT exam is tentatively scheduled for June 2026. The exact date has not been announced yet. Candidates should regularly check fri.icfre.gov.in for the official exam schedule and admit card notice.
Q2. Why has the LDC post been cancelled in FRI Recruitment 2026?
FRI Dehradun officially cancelled the Lower Division Clerk post as part of a revision to the recruitment notification. No specific reason was publicly disclosed. Candidates who paid the fee for LDC will receive a full refund automatically.
Q3. How many total vacancies are there after LDC cancellation?
After cancellation of the LDC post, the total vacancies stand at 83 across 8 posts including MTS, Forest Guard, Technician (Maintenance), Store Keeper, Technician (Field/Lab Research), Stenographer Grade II, Technical Assistant, and Library Information Assistant.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the FRI CBT exam?
Yes. For Technical posts and Library Information Assistant, 1/3rd mark is deducted per wrong answer. For LDC, Forest Guard, MTS, Stenographer, and Store Keeper posts, the deduction is 1/4th mark per wrong answer.
Q5. What is the application fee and who is exempted?
General, OBC, and EWS candidates were required to pay ₹1,500 (₹800 application + ₹700 processing). Female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories had to pay only ₹700 as processing fee. Application fee was waived for them.
Q6. Which post has the maximum vacancies in FRI Group C 2026?
Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) has the highest number of vacancies at 45 out of total 83. It is also the most accessible post, requiring only a 10th pass qualification with an age limit of 18 to 27 years.
Final Word
The FRI Dehradun Group C Recruitment 2026 remains one of the better central government job opportunities in Uttarakhand this year. With 83 vacancies across 8 posts — ranging from 10th pass level MTS to graduate-level Technical Assistant — this recruitment covered a wide range of aspirants. The online application is now closed, and everyone is waiting for the exam date to be officially declared.
If you have applied, now is the right time to start your CBT preparation. The exam pattern is similar to SSC-style aptitude and general studies tests, so previous year SSC CHSL or MTS papers can be useful practice material. Keep an eye on fri.icfre.gov.in for the admit card notice and exam schedule. Good luck!
