WL5/39918/2022 • I/785456/2026
Tamil Nadu Forest Department JRF Recruitment 2026
Applications are invited for one Junior Research Fellow (Sociologist) under the Wildlife Management Plan Development Cell in Chennai.
Total Vacancy
1 Post
Monthly Pay
₹31,000
Last Date
30 July 2026
Recruitment Overview
| Organisation | Tamil Nadu Forest Department |
| Office | Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden |
| Reference Number | WL5/39918/2022, I/785456/2026 |
| Notification Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Post Name | Junior Research Fellow (Sociologist) |
| Project Cell | Wildlife Management Plan Development Cell |
| Total Vacancy | 01 |
| Category-wise Reservation | Not specified in the official notification. |
| Employment Type | Temporary project-based contractual position |
| Application Mode | Mandatory hard-copy submission; soft copy may also be sent by email |
| Selection Mode | Shortlisting followed by online interview |
| Place of Work | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Application mode: Sending only an email is not stated as sufficient. Candidates should ensure that the signed hard-copy application and documents reach the Forest Department before the deadline.
Vacancy and Pay Details
| Post Name | Vacancy | Appointment | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (Sociologist) | 01 | Project-based contractual position | ₹31,000 consolidated |
| Total | 01 | Two years, subject to annual renewal | ₹31,000 per month |
Educational Qualification and Experience
Required Degree
- M.A. or M.Sc. in Sociology; or
- M.A. or M.Sc. in Anthropology; or
- M.A. or M.Sc. in Social Studies.
Essential Eligibility
- Master’s degree with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks from a recognised university.
- Minimum two years of research experience in the related field.
- Knowledge of written and spoken Tamil.
Desirable Qualification and Skills
- NET, GATE, ICAR or DBT-qualified candidates will be preferred.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
- Report-writing and scientific-article-writing skills.
- Computer, GIS and typing skills.
Research-experience certificates should clearly state the candidate’s designation, research area, duties and exact period of engagement.
Age Limit, Tenure and Remuneration
| Maximum Age | 28 years |
| Age Calculation Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Reserved-Category Relaxation | Applicable according to Government of Tamil Nadu norms. |
| Other Age Relaxation | Not specified in the official notification. |
| Contract Period | Two years |
| Renewal Condition | Subject to annual renewal |
| Monthly Remuneration | ₹31,000 consolidated |
| Additional Allowances | Not specified in the official notification. |
Age-date discrepancy: The general recruitment conditions state that age must be calculated as on 1 July 2026. The application form still displays “1st January 2026” in its age field. Candidates should calculate and enter their age with reference to 1 July 2026 and may mention the clarification beside the field.
Application Fee and Selection Process
| Application Fee | No application fee is mentioned in the official notification. |
| Initial Shortlisting | Based on educational qualifications and submitted supporting documents |
| Final Selection Stage | Personal interview |
| Interview Mode | Online mode only |
| Interview Date and Time | Not specified in the official notification. |
| Equal-Marks Rule | If candidates obtain equal marks, the older candidate based on date of birth will receive priority. |
| Original Document Verification | Original documents may be verified during or after the selection process. |
Important Dates
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 30 July 2026 |
| Closing Time | 6:00 PM |
| Shortlist Publication or Intimation | Will be communicated to shortlisted candidates. |
| Online Interview | Not specified in the official notification. |
How to Apply
- Download and read the official Tamil Nadu Forest Department JRF notification and application form.
- Print the prescribed application form and enter the post as “Junior Research Fellow (Sociologist).”
- Complete the personal, educational, research-experience, publication, fellowship and referee details.
- Sign the form and attach self-attested copies of all required qualification, age, experience and category documents.
- Send the hard-copy application to the Wildlife Management Plan Development Cell at the State Forest Headquarters, Chennai.
- A soft copy of the application and documents may also be emailed to wildlifemanagementcell@gmail.com. Ensure that the hard copy reaches the office by 30 July 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Documents to Attach
- Signed application in the prescribed format.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Date-of-birth certificate or Class 10 certificate.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and mark sheets.
- Master’s degree certificate and all mark sheets.
- Certificates proving at least two years of research experience.
- NET, GATE, ICAR or DBT certificate, when applicable.
- Research-publication details and reprints, when available.
- Documents relating to seminars, symposiums, workshops or conferences attended.
- Community certificate when claiming applicable relaxation.
- Details of scholarships or fellowships previously received.
- Names, addresses, email IDs and telephone numbers of three referees.
- A separate paragraph describing interest in wildlife conservation and research.
Rejection warning: Incomplete applications, unsupported eligibility claims or wilful concealment or misrepresentation of information may lead to rejection.
Application Address and Contact
Wildlife Management Plan Development Cell
2nd Floor, Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF),
State Forest Headquarters,
Guindy–Velachery Main Road,
Chennai – 600032,
Tamil Nadu
Application Email: wildlifemanagementcell@gmail.com
Telephone: 044-24329137
Hard-Copy Submission: Required
Soft-Copy Submission: May also be sent by email
Deadline: 30 July 2026 at 6:00 PM
Important Official Links
Final note: The hard-copy application must reach the Chennai office by 30 July 2026 at 6:00 PM. The email option is stated as an additional soft-copy submission and should not replace the required physical application.
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