Gujarat Forest Department Surveyor Recruitment: Key Highlights & Career Scope
The Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB) has officially issued advertisement number 467/2026-27 for direct recruitment to the post of Surveyor, Class-3 under the Forest and Environment Department, Gujarat. This recruitment initiative aims to fill a total of 78 vacancies across technical cadres across the state. Candidates interested in field engineering and forestry land management can explore all latest Gujarat Government Jobs to secure a long-term position within Gujarat's state service structure.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Category | Total Vacancies | Reserved for Women (Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 35 | 11 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 9 | 3 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 4 | 1 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 10 | 3 |
| Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) | 20 | 6 |
| Total | 78 | 24 |
| Reservation Category | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen | 7 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) - Reserved Vacancies | 0 |
| Qualification Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Diploma | Diploma in Civil Engineering from a recognized Technical Examination Board, University or Institution |
| Equivalent Diploma | Government-recognized equivalent diploma listed in the notification |
| ITI Surveyor | Certificate of a minimum one-year/two-year Surveyor course from a Government-recognized ITI |
| Computer Knowledge | Basic Computer Application Knowledge under Gujarat Recruitment Rules |
| Language Knowledge | Adequate Knowledge of Gujarati or Hindi or Both |
| S. No. | Recognized Diploma Qualification |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diploma in Civil and Rural Engineering |
| 2 | Diploma in Civil Draftsman |
| 3 | Diploma in Civil Engineering |
| 4 | Diploma in Civil Engineering and Planning |
| 5 | Diploma in Civil Engineering (Building Service Engineering) |
| 6 | Diploma in Civil Engineering (Construction Technology) |
| 7 | Diploma in Civil Engineering (Construction) |
| 8 | Diploma in Civil Technology |
| 9 | Diploma in Construction Engineering |
| 10 | Diploma in Construction Technology |
| 11 | Diploma in Construction Technology and Management |
| 12 | Diploma in Quantity Surveying and Construction Management |
| 13 | Diploma in Survey Engineering |
| 14 | Diploma in Transportation Engineering |
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Male Candidates | 33 Years |
| General Female Candidates | 38 Years |
| Reserved Category Male Candidates | 38 Years |
| Reserved Category Female Candidates | 43 Years |
| Eligible PwD Candidates | As per Notified Relaxation, Subject to 45-Year Overall Cap |
| Ex-Servicemen | Qualifying Service Period Plus 3 Years of Relaxation, as Prescribed |
| Category | Minimum Height | Chest (Unexpanded) | Chest (Expanded) | Minimum Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Tribe Candidates Originating from Gujarat | 155 cm | 79 cm | 84 cm | 50 kg |
| Other Candidates | 163 cm | 79 cm | 84 cm | 50 kg |
| Category | Minimum Height | Minimum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Tribe Candidates Originating from Gujarat | 145 cm | 45 kg |
| Other Candidates | 150 cm | 45 kg |
| Candidate Category | Walking Distance | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Male Candidates | 25 km | 4 Hours |
| Female Candidates | 14 km | 4 Hours |
| Subject | Questions / Marks |
|---|---|
| Reasoning and Data Interpretation | 30 |
| Mathematical Ability | 30 |
| Constitution of India, Current Affairs, Gujarati and English Comprehension | 30 |
| Total | 90 |
| Subject | Questions / Marks |
|---|---|
| Subject-Related and Applied Technical Knowledge | 120 |
| Total | 120 |
| Total Questions | 210 |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 210 |
| Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Examination Mode | CBRT / OMR |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 Marks per Wrong Answer |
| Part A Minimum Qualifying Marks | 40% |
| Part B Minimum Qualifying Marks | 40% |
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photograph | JPG, Maximum 15 KB; 5 cm x 3.6 cm |
| Signature | JPG, Maximum 15 KB; 2.5 cm x 7.5 cm |
| Bank Passbook First Page | JPEG / JPG / PNG as Prescribed |
| Educational Qualification Certificates | Required for Eligibility Verification |
| ITI Surveyor / Diploma Certificate | As Applicable |
| Age and Identity Documents | As Prescribed |
| Reservation / EWS / SEBC Certificates | If Applicable |
| Disability / Ex-Servicemen Certificates | If Applicable |
The role of a Class-3 Surveyor in the Forest and Environment Department is technical in nature, involving boundary demarcation, forest land measurements, spatial mapping, and assisting technical teams in environmental conservation projects. Candidates possessing a Diploma in Civil Engineering or an ITI certificate in the Surveyor trade are eligible to submit their application through the state OJAS online portal.
What Posts Are Available? – Technical Role Breakdown
The present notification is opened exclusively for technical candidates in the land measurement and civil drafting stream. The recruitment authority has combined allocation for candidates coming from both technical diploma and vocational trade certificate backgrounds.
The total sanctioned intake of 78 posts is distributed strictly according to Gujarat state reservation policies. Unreserved (UR) candidates have an allocation of 35 posts, EWS candidates 9 posts, Scheduled Castes (SC) 4 posts, Scheduled Tribes (ST) 10 posts, and Ex-Servicemen (ESM) horizontal reservation accounts for 7 posts within the sanctioned cadre structure.
Who Is Eligible? – Qualification, Age Limit & Language Criteria
Applicants must meet all educational, age, and language requirements as on the cutoff date of 20 November 2026. Candidates who want to check more Diploma jobs in Gujarat should ensure their diploma or trade certificate is awarded by a recognized board or university before filling out the form.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a Diploma in Civil Engineering from a recognized Technical Examination Board, University, or Institution (or an equivalent recognized diploma listed in the official notice) OR a Government-recognized ITI Surveyor Certificate of a minimum one-year or two-year course.
- Computer Competency: Candidates must possess basic computer knowledge as prescribed under the Gujarat Civil Services Computer Competency Rules.
- Language Proficiency: Adequate working knowledge of Gujarati or Hindi (or both) is compulsory for eligibility.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 to 33 years of age as on 20 November 2026.
- Upper Age Relaxation:
- General Category Female Candidates: 5 Years
- Reserved Category Male Candidates (SC/ST/SEBC/EWS): 5 Years
- Reserved Category Female Candidates: 10 Years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD): As per Gujarat government rules, subject to an overall upper age cap of 45 years.
- Ex-Servicemen: Total actual military service rendered plus 3 years.
What Is the Salary Structure & Service Terms?
Selected candidates will join the service under the standard fixed-pay policy of the Gujarat state government. For the initial period of 5 years, appointees will receive a consolidated fixed stipend of Rs. 26,000 per month.
Upon satisfactory completion of the 5-year fixed-pay tenure, candidates will be absorbed into regular pay scale under Pay Level 4 (Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100) with applicable Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and statutory benefits as per state service rules.
Selection Process & Detailed Exam Pattern
The selection methodology for Surveyor, Class-3 consists of a single-stage competitive examination followed by verification and physical assessment.
- Stage 1: Competitive Examination (Computer-Based Recruitment Test - CBRT or OMR mode)
- Stage 2: Document Verification (Strict scrutiny of original certificates against submitted application data)
- Stage 3: Physical Fitness & Walking Test (Conducted at the appointment stage by the Forest Department)
The written examination consists of two distinct parts conducted in a single session of 180 minutes (3 hours). The test contains 210 multiple-choice questions for a total of 210 marks.
| Exam Component | Subject / Content Coverage | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (General Ability) | Reasoning & Data Interpretation | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematical Ability | 30 | 30 | |
| Constitution of India, Current Affairs, Gujarati & English Comprehension | 30 | 30 | |
| Part B (Technical Core) | Subject-Related & Applied Technical Knowledge (Civil/Surveyor) | 120 | 120 |
| Overall Total | 210 Questions | 210 Marks |
1. Negative marking of 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response.
2. Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying threshold of 40% in Part A and 40% in Part B independently to be considered for provisional merit selection.
Important Dates & Online Application Schedule
The online application portal on OJAS opens on 30 October 2026. Candidates must submit their application form before 20 November 2026 at 11:59 PM. As observed in previous recruitment cycles such as the GSSSB Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026 for 6 Posts recruitment details, the board enforces strict cut-off dates and will not grant extensions for late submissions.
The last date to complete online fee payment for confirmed applications is 23 November 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applicants are advised to confirm their form well in advance to avoid last-minute server bottlenecks.
What Is the Application Fee & Payment Guidelines?
Application processing fees must be paid strictly through online modes (Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI).
- Unreserved (General) Candidates: Rs. 500
- Women Candidates (All Categories): Rs. 400
- SC / ST / SEBC / EWS Candidates: Rs. 400
- Ex-Servicemen & PwD Candidates: Rs. 400
Fee Refund Policy: As per GSSSB instructions, the examination fee will be refunded back to the bank account specified in the application form only to candidates who actually appear for the competitive examination and whose application is found valid in all respects.
How to Apply Online via OJAS Portal?
Candidates must submit their applications exclusively online through the official OJAS portal at ojas.gujarat.gov.in. Follow this step-by-step procedure to ensure successful submission:
- Step 1: Access the portal at ojas.gujarat.gov.in and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if you are a new user.
- Step 2: Go to the "Online Application" menu, choose "Apply", and select board GSSSB.
- Step 3: Select Advertisement No. 467/2026-27 for Surveyor, Class-3.
- Step 4: Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, ITI/Diploma mark breakdown, category information, and bank details (for fee refund processing).
- Step 5: Upload your passport photograph (max 15 KB, 5 cm x 3.6 cm) and signature (max 15 KB, 2.5 cm x 7.5 cm) in JPG format. Also upload the front page of your bank passbook as required.
- Step 6: Thoroughly verify all entered data, click Confirm Application, and note down your unique 8-digit Application Number. Unconfirmed forms are automatically rejected.
- Step 7: Proceed to the payment portal and pay the prescribed fee by 23 November 2026. Download and save the payment receipt and confirmed application copy for future reference.
What Can Get Your Application Rejected?
Rejection of online forms usually happens due to minor technical errors or missing details during registration. Review the critical disqualification warnings listed below to keep your candidacy safe:
- Unconfirmed Applications: Submitting details without pressing the "Confirm" button leaves the form in draft mode, resulting in automatic rejection.
- Incorrect Category Selection: Entering an incorrect category (e.g., selecting General instead of SEBC or EWS) before final confirmation cannot be edited later and will lead to disqualification during Document Verification.
- Invalid SEBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate: SEBC candidates must hold a valid NCL certificate issued within the validity timeline prescribed by the Gujarat State Government.
- Outdated EWS Income Certificate: EWS candidates must upload an Income and Asset Certificate that is valid on or before the application cut-off date.
- Photo & Signature Mismatches: Uploading blurry images, incorrect dimensions, photos with dark sunglasses/caps, or signatures written entirely in CAPITAL letters will trigger system rejection.
- Multiple Duplicate Applications: Submitting multiple applications with varying details can lead to cancellation of all submitted entries.
Editor's Key Advisory for Candidates
Candidates preparing for GSSSB Surveyor Class-3 should focus their preparation heavily on Part B (Technical Knowledge), as it carries 120 out of the 210 total marks. Brush up on core concepts of land surveying, chain surveying, compass surveying, leveling, plane table surveying, total station operations, and basic civil engineering drawings.
Additionally, do not ignore Part A because scoring less than 40% in Part A will result in automatic disqualification, regardless of how high your score is in Part B. Keep all original educational marksheets, ITI/Diploma certificates, valid photo ID proofs, category certificates, and bank account details ready in original format prior to attending document verification.
