Forest Guard Salary in Tamil Nadu 2025 – Pay Scale, In-Hand Salary, Perks & Benefits

In Tamil Nadu’s forest departments, a Forest Guard (also referred to as a van rakshak) acts as the important first line of defense. They prevent poaching of wildlife, curtail illegal logging, provide assistance during firefighting, and afford support for biodiversity conservation.

If you are an aspirant to this position in 2025, know that it will be important to learn the Forest Guard’s salary, benefits, and scope of work. Having this information is the best way to make an informed career decision, do proper financial planning for your career, and best prepare for the state recruitment process.

Forest Guard Salary Structure in Tamil Nadu (2025)

Pay Scale (2025)

• Forest Guards are in Level 5 of the Tami Nadu State Pay Matrix (7th CPC).
• Basic pay range: ₹18,200 – ₹57,900 per month
• Annual Gross Salary Range: ₹2,18,400 – ₹6,94,800

In-Hand Salary

• Initial pay in hand generally ranges from ₹33,000 until ₹36,000/month, along with the allowances each month.
• In-hand pay will vary according to location and allowance structure.

Components of Salary & Allowances

Basic Pay

• Totaling ₹18,200–₹57,900 based on Level 5.

Dearness Allowance (DA)

• Approximately 42%–53% of Basic Pay (this figure changes over time);
• eg. DA at 50% of ₹21,700 ₹21,700 x 50% = ₹10,850/month

House Rent Allowance (HRA)

• This ranges from 9–27% of Basic Pay, depending on city classification.
• Transportation Allowance (TA)- this will be fixed, is added DA on the TA amount distribution by posting.

Other Benefits

• Uniform Allowance, Risk Allowance (due to all forest terrain or tracking involved), medical, insurance, and other special duty remuneration.

For example, we might estimate the following salary (monthly)

• Basic pay: ₹18,200
• DA (50%): ₹9,100
• HRA (eg. 18%): ₹3,276
• TA & any other allowances: ~₹1,500–2,000
• Gross: ~₹32,076–33,076
• Deductions (for GPF/NPS, PT, Insurance): ~₹2,000–3,000
• Net in-hand: ~₹30,000–31,000
• However, around 10% of recruits, depending on posting and allowance rates, might see around ₹33,000–36,000/month initially.

Allowances and Benefits of TN Forest Guards (2025)

Key Allowances

• Dearness Allowance (DA) — This component is revised from time to time (e.g. ~50% basic pay in 2025) to mitigate inflation.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) — 9%–27% of basic pay depending on whether posted in rural, semi-urban or metropolitan regions.
• Transport Allowance (TA) — A monthly allowance + DA on TA to commute.

Uniform Allowance

With the latest hike in 2025, Tamil Nadu forest guards now get ₹4,500 per year (increased from earlier rates) as a uniform allowance to keep properly clad in uniform and User charge.

Additional Benefits

• Pension Absences & Retirement Benefits — Based either on NPS (not at the time for latest recruits) for the old pension scheme if entitled.
• Medical Facilities — Benefits through the state health scheme cover for self and dependents.
• Risk/Hardship Allowance — For operations in remote and risky areas.
• Leave Schedule — Casual Leave, Earned Leave, Medical Leave, and Special Leave as per TN Government rules.

TN Forest Guard Job Profile

Key Duties

• Regular patrolling of forest beats to stop illegal encroachments, logging and poaching.
• Participation in anti poaching operations and protected area operations for wildlife.
• Assistance to wildlife conservation and afforestation projects as per TN Forest Department’s mandates.
• Documenting incident reports, and inventory and activities of field operations, and keeping accurate records of each kind of forestry produce.
• Oversee and facilitate community awareness programmes on areas of conservation, especially around locals and in the society.

Working Conditions and Challenges

• Duties are mostly field-based, in remote forests and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Work exposes staff to severe weather conditions, difficult and hazardous terrain and wildlife.
• There may be long hours, especially in emergency situations, such as forest fires, flooding or rescue missions.
• Fitness and alertness required to deal with physically demanding and high-risk situations.
• Promotion and Career Advancement

Hierarchy and Career Path

Probation and Confirmation

Newly appointed Forest Guards are generally placed on a probationary period for a 2-year. If the performance is satisfactory and the training, performance reviews, and field component were completed, the Guards are confirmed in service.

Promotion

Firefighters are promoted based off seniority, departmental tests or exams and performance reviews. Advancement opportunities will improve if the candidate passes departmental examination or upgrades their qualifications.

Eligibility Criteria & Recruitment Process (Update 2025)

Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have passed at least Higher Secondary (12th Class) from a recognized board.
• Knowledge of Tamil language is essential (as demonstrated through qualifying exams or certificates).

Age Limit & Relaxation

Selection Process

The selection process of the Tamil Nadu Forest Guard in 2025 consists generally of three principal selection processes:

1️Written Exam

• Objective-type questions testing the general knowledge, environmental science, and Tamil language capacities.
• Usually 150–200 marks with negative marking (if appropriate).

2️Physical Tests

• Walking test: All candidates complete a prescribed distance (for men 25–30 km and for women 16–20 km) within a prescribed time.
• Physical standards test: Height, chest (with expansion), etc. according to TN Forest Department standards.

3️ Document verification

• Verification of educational, age, caste, and other certificates before final appointment.
• If the candidate passes through all the stages and is medically fit, then he/she is appointed after training and probation.