⚠️ Important Notice: The online registration process for TDC Maharashtra Watchman (Chowkidar) Recruitment 2026 (Advt No. आस्था-पदभरती-2025/अ.क्र. 65 / का.2(8)/ नाशिक) was open from April 27, 2026 to May 27, 2026 (extended from May 18) and is currently closed. This page serves as a permanent reference guide detailing Class 10th eligibility, Pay Scale S-1 structures, 200-mark online CBT exam pattern, and document verification rules for candidates tracking Tribal Development Department (Adivasi Vikas Vibhag) recruitment cycles.
The Tribal Development Department (TDC), Commissionerate Nashik, Government of Maharashtra, officially invited online applications for 416 Watchman (Chowkidar – Group D) vacancies. These positions are distributed across 29 Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP), Ashramshalas, and Tribal Hostels across Maharashtra state.
Selection for these Group D posts is executed purely through an objective Computer-Based Test (CBT) in Marathi medium for 200 marks, followed by physical document verification of shortlisted candidates.
📌 TDC Maharashtra Watchman Recruitment 2026: Key Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Department | Tribal Development Department (Adivasi Vikas Vibhag), Nashik, Maharashtra |
| Advertisement Number | आस्था-पदभरती-2025/प्र.क्र. 65 |
| Post Name | Watchman (Chowkidar) – Group D Cadre |
| Total Vacancies | 416 Posts (Across 29 ITDP Units) |
| Educational Qualification | Class 10th Pass (SSC / Secondary School Certificate) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 38 Years (Open) | Up to 43/45 Years for Reserved Categories |
| Pay Scale | Pay Level S-1 (₹15,000 – ₹47,600 per month) + State Allowances |
| Selection Strategy | Computer Based Test (CBT – 200 Marks) + Document Verification |
| Application Portal | tdcwatchman2026.cbtexam.in / tribal.maharashtra.gov.in |
📅 Official Recruitment Schedule
| Recruitment Phase | Official Timeline |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 27 April 2026 |
| Online Registration Start Date | 27 April 2026 |
| Original Closing Date for Online Application | 18 May 2026 |
| Extended Closing Date to Apply & Pay Fee | 27 May 2026 (11:55 PM) |
| CBT Online Examination Date | To Be Announced |
🏢 Project-Wise Vacancy Distribution Highlights
The total 416 vacancies are distributed across 29 Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) in Maharashtra. Major project unit allocations include:
| ITDP Project Office | Allocated Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Shahada (Nandurbar) | 42 |
| Nandurbar | 34 |
| Taloda | 30 |
| Kalwan | 29 |
| Thane | 26 |
| Shahapur | 24 |
| Dhule | 23 |
| Jawhar & Amravati | 19 Each |
| Nashik, Nagpur & Other Units | Remaining Allocated Slots |
| Total Vacancies | 416 Posts |
🎓 Detailed Educational Eligibility & Domicile Conditions
- Educational Qualification: Must have passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC / Class 10th Standard) examination from a recognized Board in India.
- Domicile Rule: Candidates must be permanent residents/domiciles of Maharashtra. Applicants residing in the 865 Marathi-speaking border villages of Maharashtra-Karnataka are also eligible subject to submitting a competent domicile certificate.
- Language Mandate: Working proficiency in written and spoken Marathi is essential as the entire examination is administered in the Marathi language.
🔞 Age Limit Criteria & Relaxations
Age calculation bounds are defined according to Maharashtra State Government rules:
- Minimum Age Limit: 18 Years
- Maximum Age Limit (General / Unreserved): 38 Years
Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxations
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation | Effective Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Open / General Category | No Relaxation | 38 Years |
| SC / ST / VJNT / SBC / OBC / EWS | 5 Years | 43 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 7 Years | 45 Years |
| Orphans | 5 Years | 43 Years |
| Part-Time Government Employees | Up to 55 Years | 55 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service Tenure + 3 Years | As per rules |
💳 Application Fee Structure
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (Open) Category | ₹1,000/- |
| Backward Classes (SC / ST / VJNT / OBC / EWS) / PwBD / Orphans | ₹900/- |
| Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
⚙️ Selection Process & CBT Exam Pattern
The recruitment selection workflow consists of a single-stage online Computer-Based Test (CBT) followed by offline Document Verification. There is no physical efficiency test or personal interview for the Watchman post.
Exam Scheme Highlights
- Total Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
- Total Marks / Questions: 200 Marks (100 MCQs carrying 2 marks each)
- Medium of Test: Marathi Medium
- Qualifying Threshold: Candidates must secure a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (90 out of 200) to qualify for merit shortlisting.
| Subject Area | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Marathi Language & Grammar | 25 | 50 Marks |
| English Language | 25 | 50 Marks |
| General Knowledge (Maharashtra & Tribal Affairs Focus) | 25 | 50 Marks |
| Intellectual Test / Reasoning Aptitude (बौद्धिक चाचणी) | 25 | 50 Marks |
| Total | 100 MCQs | 200 Marks |
📄 Mandatory Documents Checklist
Candidates shortlisted for Document Verification must present original and self-attested copies of:
- SSC / Class 10th Marksheet and Passing Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth).
- Maharashtra Domicile Certificate / Border Village Residency Proof.
- Caste Certificate / Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate (if applicable).
- EWS / PwBD / Ex-Serviceman / Orphan Certificate (if claiming reservation).
- Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN Card).
- Recent Passport-Size Photographs and Printed Online Application Summary.
📝 Step-by-Step Guide: How Online Registration Worked
- Visited the official exam portal at tdcwatchman2026.cbtexam.in or accessed the link via tribal.maharashtra.gov.in.
- Clicked on New User Registration and created credentials using full legal name, active mobile number, and email ID.
- Filled in personal profile information, 10th SSC board exam percentage, category claims, and preferred ITDP project choices.
- Uploaded scanned soft copies of recent passport photo and signature as per specified file dimensions.
- Paid the application fee online using Net Banking, UPI, or Debit/Credit Cards (₹1,000 for Open; ₹900 for Reserved).
- Submitted the form and downloaded/printed the final application receipt for reference.
⚠️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Class 10th pass sufficient for TDC Maharashtra Watchman Recruitment?
Yes. Passing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC / Class 10th) examination from a recognized board is the sole educational requirement for this post.
2. Is there any physical test or running exam for the Watchman (Chowkidar) post?
No. Selection is conducted purely on the basis of marks scored in the 200-mark online Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification.
3. What is the monthly salary for a TDC Watchman in Maharashtra?
The post falls under Pay Level S-1 (₹15,000 – ₹47,600 per month). Including Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA), the initial gross monthly in-hand salary ranges between ₹22,000 to ₹28,000 per month.
4. Is there negative marking in the TDC Watchman online exam?
No negative marking penalty is mentioned in the official notification. Candidates earn marks for correct responses.
Disclaimer: Govt Result Alert is an independent educational news portal providing updates on public sector recruitments. We are not officially affiliated with the Tribal Development Department (TDC) Nashik or the Government of Maharashtra. Candidates are advised to cross-verify all official notices directly at tribal.maharashtra.gov.in or tdcwatchman2026.cbtexam.in.
📊 Expert Cutoff Analysis & Preparation Strategy for Tribal Development Department Nashik Watchman
Based on our editorial analysis of previous recruitment cycles and increasing competition trends, candidates must aim for safe target scores rather than merely clearing the minimum qualifying benchmark:
- Expected Safe Target: General/UR candidates should target 78%–84% marks in the written examination, while OBC/EWS aspirants should aim for 74%–80%.
- Focus Areas: Prioritize high-scoring sections such as General Intelligence & Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. Daily revision of static General Awareness and current affairs from the past 6 months is essential.
- Time Management: Practice with full-length sectional and mock tests strictly in timed exam conditions to improve accuracy and eliminate negative marking errors.
Ram Avtar is the Founder and Lead Career Analyst at Govt Results Alert. With over 6 years of experience analyzing Government Recruitment Notifications, SSC, Banking, and Railway examination patterns, he leads our fact-checking team to deliver authentic, timely, and verified job alerts directly from official government gazettes.