Maharashtra Adivasi Vibhag Chowkidar Syllabus, Exam Pattern

The test is a computer-based MCQ paper in Marathi medium, held at centres in district headquarters across the state. It is one paper of 200 marks, with 2 marks for each question and 120 minutes to answer.

Marks are counted only for correct answers, as far as the advertisement describes it. You need at least 45 per cent to be considered for the merit list. If the test runs in more than one session, scores are equated across sessions.

The advertisement gives only the four subject headings above and no topic list. Marathi and English are language papers; general knowledge and the intelligence test (reasoning) carry 50 marks each.

You must be an Indian citizen living in Maharashtra and have passed the SSC (Class 10) examination. Qualifications are counted as on 1 April 2026.

Age as on 1 April 2026: 18 to 38 for the open category. Backward classes and orphans can go up to 43, and candidates with disabilities up to 45. Ex-servicemen get the length of their service plus 3 years, to a maximum of 45. Part-time (anshkalin) employees can apply up to 55. The creamy layer among the reserved groups gets no age relaxation.

Merit is decided by marks in the online test. Candidates with equal marks are ranked by the Government of Maharashtra's tie rule in the advertisement. Shortlisted candidates then have their original documents checked by the appointing officer, which is the Project Officer of the project office they applied to, and the final list follows.

You can apply to any project office, and you sit the test at a centre you choose. If you apply to more than one office, each needs its own fee.

Pay level S-1 in the state scale, ₹15,000 to ₹47,600 a month.

Applications were online only, through the department's recruitment portal. The fee was ₹1,000 for open category and ₹900 for backward classes, EWS, orphans and candidates with disabilities. Ex-servicemen paid nothing. The fee is not refunded. Photo, signature, left thumb impression and a handwritten declaration in English were uploaded with the form, and changes were not allowed after submission.

Helpdesk: tdcnashikhelpdesk@gmail.com, or the department's toll-free line 1800 267 0007 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm).

The 478 posts are spread over the project offices below.

Centres are in district headquarter towns across Maharashtra. Your centre, date and shift are printed on the admit card, and the advertisement says a request to change them will not be entertained.

Anyone who had applied against the 27 April advertisement did not have to apply again.

Admit cards were issued from the exam portal tdcwatchman2026.cbtexam.in after a notice dated 23 July 2026. Carry the admit card and original photo ID, and reach the centre at least an hour before the test. A notice of 26 July 2026 changed some centres and the date for Chandrapur; those candidates downloaded a fresh admit card.

No result was on the department's home page on 16 October 2026. After the test, a response sheet and an objection window (7 to 9 August 2026) were opened on the exam portal; see the notice of 6 August 2026. Objections raised later were not to be considered. The merit list will be put up on tribal.maharashtra.gov.in.

No cut-off has been published, because there is no result yet. The advertisement fixes only the 45 per cent minimum for the merit list.

It is a plain objective paper, 50 questions in each of Marathi, English, general knowledge and reasoning. Time per question is a little over a minute, so practice the Marathi and English sections as speed work. Candidates with a scribe or a magnifier should read the advertisement's rules for extra time before applying.

• Tribal Development Department, Maharashtra (home page and recruitment notices)
• Revised advertisement, 29 April 2026 (PDF)
• Exam centre notice, 26 July 2026 (PDF)
• Response sheet notice, 6 August 2026 (PDF)
• Application and exam portal

How many Chowkidar posts are there?

478 after the revision of 29 April 2026. The first advertisement said 416.

What is the qualification?

SSC (Class 10) pass, and Maharashtra residence.

Is there an interview?

No. The advertisement describes the online test, then document checking. The test is the only scored stage.

Is this the same as the Group D Chowkidar post elsewhere in the state?

No. This one is for ashram schools and hostels under the tribal development projects. Other departments hire watchmen separately.