MPESB MP Forest Guard Exam Cancelled: June 7 Afternoon Shift Scrapped Due to Server Failure, Rescheduled for June 20 First Shift

In a significant setback for thousands of government job aspirants in Madhya Pradesh, the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) was forced to cancel the afternoon shift of the MP Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) and Jail Prahari Recruitment Exam 2026 on June 7, 2026. The server of the exam-conducting company failed on Sunday, June 7, forcing the cancellation of the examination. 

An estimated 50,000 candidates who were scheduled to appear in the affected shift had their exams cancelled. ESB Director IAS Ajay Katesaria officially confirmed that the cancelled shift would be rescheduled and held on June 20, 2026, in the morning (10 AM) shift. Students expressed strong outrage, particularly at centres like Satna in Madhya Pradesh, demanding accountability from the Board.

Latest Update — MPESB Forest Guard Exam Cancelled, New Date June 20

ESB Director IAS Ajay Katesaria stated that due to a technical problem, the afternoon 2:30 PM shift exam has been postponed. The exam will be held again on June 20 in the 10 AM morning shift. 

Key facts confirmed by MPESB:

• Exam cancelled: Afternoon shift, June 7, 2026
• Reason: Server/technical system failure of the exam-conducting company
• Candidates affected: Approximately 50,000
• Rescheduled date: June 20, 2026
• New shift timing: Morning — 10:00 AM
• Official portal: esb.mp.gov.in

Note: The MP Forest Guard and Jail Prahari recruitment examination 2026 began on June 4, 2026, and was originally scheduled to continue till June 19, 2026, being held in two different shifts in offline pen-and-paper mode, with candidates given 2 hours to complete the paper.

Important Dates — MPESB Van Rakshak / Jail Prahari Exam 2026

Official Website and Direct Link

Candidates are advised to visit esb.mp.gov.in regularly for the revised admit card, updated schedule, and any fresh instructions related to the rescheduled June 20 shift.

How to Check the Revised Exam Schedule and Download Updated Admit Card

1. Visit the official MPESB website: esb.mp.gov.in
2. On the homepage, look for the "Notifications" or "What's New" section
3. Find the link for MPESB Van Rakshak / Jail Prahari Recruitment 2026 – Revised Schedule / Notice
4. Click to open and read the official notification PDF carefully
5. Note your rescheduled date (June 20), shift timing, and reporting time
6. To download the admit card, click on the Admit Card link on the homepage
7. Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth
8. Download and print the updated hall ticket before June 20
9. In case of discrepancies, contact the MPESB helpdesk immediately

Why Was the MPESB Exam Cancelled? — What Really Happened on June 7

In the Jail Prahari and Van Rakshak exam 2026, the server of the company conducting the examination failed on Sunday, June 7. The examination was ultimately cancelled. 

The cancellation triggered sharp reactions from candidates across Madhya Pradesh, particularly from those who had travelled long distances to appear at examination centres. The exam cancellation affected approximately 50,000 candidates whose papers were cancelled in the affected shift. 

The incident has once again raised serious questions about the MPESB's technological infrastructure and the reliability of the agencies it outsources exam-conduct responsibilities to. This is not the first time the Board has faced criticism over examination irregularities or disruptions during the ongoing 2026 recruitment cycle.

Recruitment Overview — MPESB Van Rakshak & Jail Prahari 2026 at a Glance

The MPESB is filling 1,679 vacancies across the Van Rakshak (Forest Guard), Kshetra Rakshak (Field Guard), Jail Prahari, and Sahayak Jail Adhikshak (Assistant Jail Superintendent) posts through this Combined Recruitment Test 2026. The vacancy breakdown includes 728 posts of Van Rakshak, 169 posts of Kshetra Rakshak, 757 posts of Jail Prahari, and 25 posts of Sahayak Jail Adhikshak.

Approximately 3,92,000 candidates had applied for this recruitment. The written test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each, with no negative marking, to be completed in 2 hours. 

What Candidates Are Saying

Reports from examination centres, including Satna in Madhya Pradesh, indicate that candidates were deeply frustrated after reaching the centre only to be turned away due to the technical failure. Key grievances include:

• Candidates who travelled from distant districts incurred unnecessary expenditure on transport and accommodation
• The failure occurred mid-cycle, disrupting the exam schedule that had been running smoothly since June 4
• Students are demanding that the Board ensure full infrastructure testing before June 20 to prevent a repeat occurrence
• There are growing calls for compensation or reimbursement of travel expenses for affected candidates

The Board's track record of exam disruptions has led to renewed demands for greater accountability and investment in robust examination technology.

Important Instructions for Candidates Appearing on June 20

• Re-check your admit card: The revised shift for June 20 is the morning (10 AM) shift — confirm your reporting time on the official notice at esb.mp.gov.in
• Carry your original, valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card) along with the admit card
• Report at the examination centre at least 30–45 minutes before the exam begins to avoid last-minute issues
• Do not carry electronic devices, mobile phones, smartwatches, or any unauthorised material inside the examination hall
• The exam will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode — carry your own blue/black ballpoint pen
• In case your admit card has not been updated for the new date, download it fresh from esb.mp.gov.in or contact the MPESB helpdesk immediately
• Keep checking esb.mp.gov.in for any further schedule updates, fresh notices, or revised admit card instructions before June 20

What Happens Next?

Candidates who appeared in other shifts from June 4–19 that were conducted without disruption do not need to take any action. Only those whose June 7 afternoon shift was cancelled need to note the June 20 rescheduled date.

Previous Trends and MPESB Exam History

The MPESB combined recruitment exam has a history of schedule changes even before the 2026 cycle:

• The exam date for this 2026 recruitment was first scheduled for May 25, 2026, then postponed to June 4, 2026, primarily due to clashes with national examinations like SSC and CUET. 
• The written examinations were originally scheduled to run from June 4 to June 19, 2026, in two shifts per day across various centres in Madhya Pradesh
• In the 2023–24 cycle, the MP Forest Guard and Jail Prahari exam was similarly conducted across multiple weeks, with results eventually declared after the completion of all shifts.

The current disruption on June 7 and the rescheduling to June 20 extends the exam window by one day beyond the original June 19 end date.

MPESB MP Forest Guard Exam Cancellation & June 20 Reschedule FAQs 

Q1. Why was the MPESB MP Forest Guard exam cancelled on June 7, 2026?

 The server of the exam-conducting company failed on June 7, 2026 (Sunday), making it impossible to conduct the afternoon shift, which was therefore cancelled

Q2. How many candidates were affected by the June 7 exam cancellation?

 Approximately 50,000 candidates had their exam cancelled in the affected shift.

Q3. What is the new exam date for the cancelled shift? The rescheduled exam will be held on June 20, 2026, at 10 AM shift, as confirmed by ESB Director IAS Ajay Katesaria. 

Q4. Do I need to download a new admit card for the June 20 exam?

Candidates should visit esb.mp.gov.in and check if a fresh or updated admit card has been issued for the June 20 shift. It is strongly advisable to download the latest version before appearing for the exam. Official confirmation on whether existing admit cards remain valid is expected to be issued by MPESB on its website.

Q5. Was the first shift on June 7 also cancelled?

Based on the ESB Director's statement, the cancellation was specific to the afternoon (2:30 PM) shift on June 7. The first shift of other days in the June 4–19 window was not affected by this particular disruption.

Q6. What posts are covered under the MPESB Combined Recruitment Exam 2026?

The 2026 combined recruitment covers 1,679 vacancies across Van Rakshak (Forest Guard), Kshetra Rakshak (Field Guard), Jail Prahari, and Sahayak Jail Adhikshak posts.