MP Jail Prahari Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Important Dates

One computer-based paper: 100 objective questions, 100 marks, 2 hours, on general knowledge, general Hindi, general English, general mathematics and general science at high school level.

Each right answer earns 1 mark and each wrong one costs 0.25. If a question is dropped after objections, everyone's score is scaled up in proportion to what they got on the rest, so no one gets a free mark. Scores from different shifts are normalised by percentile.

Candidates in the priority list (ex-servicemen, NCC "C" certificate holders, families of soldiers killed in the Indo-Pak conflict, retrenched government staff and a few others) get 5% extra on their written marks.

• Education: Class 10 (high school) under the 10+2 system, or Higher Secondary under the old system.
• Age: 18 to 33 on 1 January 2026. Women, MP-domiciled SC, ST and OBC men, and serving government employees get up to 38. Candidates from outside MP get no relaxation at all and can apply only against unreserved posts.
• Employment exchange: a live registration with an MP employment exchange is compulsory.
• Children: anyone with more than two living children, one born on or after 26 January 2001, is ineligible.

Physical standards

Both eyes need normal vision, and knock knees or flat feet disqualify. No posts are reserved for disabled candidates because the post has physical standards. There is no relaxation in any standard.

Baiga, Sahariya and Bhariya candidates do not get the direct-appointment route here because the post is executive. They apply online and sit the paper as ST candidates.

1. Written test by MPESB.
2. About ten times the vacancies in each category are called to the second phase, along with everyone tied with the last one in.
3. Physical measurement and physical proficiency test at Jail headquarters, with biometric checks. It is pass or fail.
4. The final merit list is drawn up on the written marks of those who pass. Equal marks are separated by age.

Physical proficiency test

Fail the run and you don't get to throw. The shot put allows three attempts. The test is video recorded and nobody gets a second chance or a new date on medical grounds.

Level 4 of the MP pay matrix, ₹19,500 to ₹62,000, plus allowances. As with all new MP direct recruits, the first three years are paid as a stipend of 70%, 80% and 90% of the minimum. The new contributory pension scheme applies.

Selected candidates are not posted to their home district.

The MPOnline portal adds ₹60 at a kiosk or ₹20 if you fill the form yourself as a registered citizen user on mponline.gov.in. The rulebook (in Hindi) carries the post tables, rules and syllabus.

Jail Prahari posts belong to the Jail Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Of the 757 posts in 2026:

The 13% part waits on the High Court case over 27% OBC reservation. Within each category there are horizontal shares for women, ex-servicemen and Home Guards.

Recruitment is irregular. The previous cycle (2022-23) had its written result on 14 March 2024 and its final result on 13 December 2024. Watch the MPESB rulebooks page for the next one.

The 2026 first-phase result (14 August 2026) lists who goes on to the physical test. Results are looked up by application number and date of birth on the MPESB results page. The Board then sends the list to the Jail Department, which verifies documents and issues appointment orders. There is no recount or re-evaluation.

MPESB publishes category-wise cut-offs with each result. For the 2022-23 cycle the final cut-off sheet covers both the Jail and Forest posts. The 2026 cut-offs will come with the final result on the results page.

• MPESB home
• Jail-Van combined rulebook 2026 (Hindi, PDF)
• 2026 first-phase result note
• Jail Prahari physical test schedule 2026
• Results and admit cards
• MPESB old question papers (includes the 2023 Jail-Van paper)
• MPOnline, to apply

How many Jail Prahari posts were there in 2026?

757, of which 659 are in the main list and 98 in the provisional OBC/UR list.

What is the qualification?

Class 10 pass.

Is there negative marking?

Yes, a quarter mark for each wrong answer.

Does the physical test add marks?

No. It is qualifying only; the merit list runs on the written marks.

Can someone from another state apply?

Yes, but only against unreserved posts, with the 33-year age limit and no relaxation.