APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026: Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released Notification No.19/2026 for the direct recruitment of Horticulture Officers in A.P. Horticulture Service. A total of 37 Horticulture Officer vacancies are available.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the APPSC website from 06 October 2026 to 27 October 2026 up to 11:59 PM. The recruitment will be conducted through a Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT), followed by the prescribed selection process.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Notification No. | 19/2026 |
| Notification Date | 06 October 2026 |
| Post Name | Horticulture Officer |
| Service | A.P. Horticulture Service |
| Total Vacancies | 37 |
| Job Location | Andhra Pradesh |
| Age Limit | 18–44 Years |
| Age Cut-off Date | 01 July 2026 |
| Pay Scale | ₹54,060 – ₹1,40,540 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 06 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Selection | Written Examination + CPT |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
The notification specifies 37 vacancies, an age range of 18–44 years and a pay scale of ₹54,060–₹1,40,540.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Vacancy 2026
The Horticulture Officer post is a zonal post. The notification provides vacancies under Open and Local categories across six zones.
Zone-wise Vacancy Summary
| Zone | Open | Local | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone-I | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Zone-II | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Zone-III | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Zone-IV | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Zone-V | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Zone-VI | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 6 | 31 | 37 |
The detailed category-wise vacancy distribution is given in Annexure-I of the official notification.
Category-wise Vacancy
| Category | Open | Local | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| OC | 5 | 16 | 21 |
| SC-I | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| SC-II | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| SC-III | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| ST | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| BC-A | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| BC-B | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| BC-C | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| BC-D | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BC-E | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EWS | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 6 | 31 | 37 |
Horizontal Reservation
The notification also mentions horizontal reservation for eligible categories.
| Reservation | Total |
|---|---|
| Women | 6 |
| Meritorious Sports Persons (MSP) | 2 |
These are horizontal reservations and eligible candidates can apply irrespective of their category/community/gender, subject to the notification conditions.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Eligibility 2026
Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the Horticulture Officer post must possess:
Four-year B.Sc. Degree / B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Horticulture from a recognised University in Andhra Pradesh or any other University accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi.
Qualification Table
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Horticulture Officer | Four-year B.Sc. / B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Horticulture |
| University Requirement | Recognised University |
| Other Accepted University | University accredited by ICAR as specified in notification |
Important: Candidates should carefully verify their qualification against the exact wording of the official notification before applying.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Age Limit 2026
The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 44 years as on 01 July 2026.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / BC / EWS | 5 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PBD) | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per notification rules |
| NCC Instructors | As per notification rules |
| Regular AP State Government Employees | Up to 5 years, subject to rules |
| Retrenched Temporary Census Employees | 3 years |
The notification provides the detailed conditions and limitations applicable to each age-relaxation category.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Salary 2026
The selected Horticulture Officers will receive a pay scale of:
₹54,060 – ₹1,40,540
This is the pay scale specified by APPSC for the Horticulture Officer post.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Application Fee 2026
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | ₹250 |
| Examination Fee | ₹120 |
| Total for candidates required to pay both | ₹370 |
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, BC, PBD and Ex-Servicemen categories are exempted from the ₹120 examination fee, subject to the conditions specified in the notification. Certain other eligible categories, including AP residents with Household Supply White Cards and eligible unemployed youth, are also covered under the examination-fee exemption provisions.
Applicants from other states are required to pay the prescribed examination fee along with the processing fee and are not entitled to reservation benefits under the specified provisions.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 06 October 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 06 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Written Examination Date | Will be announced later |
| Hall Ticket | To be announced by APPSC |
Applications are accepted online from 06/10/2026 to 27/10/2026 up to 11:59 PM. The written examination date will be announced later.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection process is based on:
1. Written Examination (CBRT)
2. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
Selection will be based on merit in the Written Examination, subject to qualifying the Computer Proficiency Test. Candidates must appear in all the examination papers; absence in any paper results in disqualification.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| OC / Sportspersons / Ex-Servicemen / EWS | 40% |
| BC | 35% |
| SC / ST / PBD | 30% |
Securing the minimum qualifying marks alone does not guarantee selection.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The written examination is of Degree Standard and consists of a qualifying language test and three papers.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Test | General English & General Telugu | 100 | 100 Minutes | 100 |
| Paper-I | General Studies & Mental Ability | 150 | 150 Minutes | 150 |
| Paper-II | Horticulture-I | 150 | 150 Minutes | 150 |
| Paper-III | Horticulture-II | 150 | 150 Minutes | 150 |
| Total Merit Marks | 450 | 450 |
The qualifying test contains General English – 50 marks and General Telugu – 50 marks, and candidates must qualify in English and Telugu individually.
Negative Marking
There is 1/3 negative marking for every wrong answer as prescribed in the notification.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Syllabus 2026
Qualifying Test – General English & Telugu
English:
- Comprehension
- Usage and idioms
- Vocabulary and punctuation
- Logical rearrangement of sentences
Telugu:
- Synonyms and vocabulary
- Grammar
- Telugu to English meanings
- English to Telugu meanings
The qualifying test is at SSC Standard.
Paper-I – General Studies & Mental Ability
Important areas include:
- Current events and issues
- General Science
- Science & Technology and IT
- Indian History
- Andhra Pradesh history and issues
- Indian Geography with focus on Andhra Pradesh
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Indian Economy and Planning
- Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection
- Disaster Management
- Remote Sensing and GIS
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Ability
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
Paper-II – Horticulture-I
Major areas include:
- Fruit Crops
- Vegetable Crops
- Commercial Floriculture
- Ornamental Gardening
- Landscape Architecture
- Medicinal and Aromatic Crops
- Spices and Condiments
- Plantation Crops
- Dryland Horticulture
- Watershed Management
- Post-Harvest Management
- Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables
The detailed syllabus covers crop production, varieties, propagation, nutrition, irrigation, harvesting, post-harvest handling, storage and related horticultural practices.
Paper-III – Horticulture-II
Major syllabus areas include:
- Fundamentals of Horticulture
- Plant Propagation
- Nursery Management
- Plant Physiology
- Horticultural Crop Production
- Protected Cultivation
- Greenhouse and Polyhouse Technology
- Crop-specific horticultural practices
- Other advanced horticulture topics prescribed in Annexure-II
The official notification contains the complete subject-wise syllabus in Annexure-II.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Exam Centres
The Computer Based Recruitment Test will be conducted at the following four centres:
| S.No. | Examination Centre |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visakhapatnam |
| 2 | Vijayawada |
| 3 | Tirupathi |
| 4 | Ananthapuramu |
Candidates can select three preferences for the examination centre. However, APPSC reserves the right to create or allot a centre depending on availability of resources.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Local Zones
The post is organised into a zonal cadre and local reservation provisions apply.
| Zone | Districts |
|---|---|
| Zone-I | Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli |
| Zone-II | Alluri Sitarama Raju, East Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema |
| Zone-III | West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna |
| Zone-IV | Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore |
| Zone-V | Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa |
| Zone-VI | Nandyal, Ananthapuramu, Kurnool, Sri Sathya Sai |
The notification states that 95% local reservation is applicable to local candidates of each zone as provided under the Presidential Order 2025.
How to Apply for APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026
Candidates should apply only through the official APPSC website.
Step 1 – OTPR Registration
Candidates applying for APPSC recruitment for the first time must complete One Time Profile Registration (OTPR).
Step 2 – Login
Login to the APPSC website using the OTPR ID and password.
Step 3 – Fill Application
Select the relevant notification and fill in qualification, local status, examination centre and other required details.
Step 4 – Save & Submit
Simply clicking Save is not enough. Candidates must click Save & Submit.
Step 5 – Pay Fee
After Save & Submit, the payment link will be generated. Complete the applicable fee payment.
Step 6 – Download Application
After successful submission, the payment reference ID is generated and candidates can download the submitted application PDF for future reference.
Important Application Warning
OTPR registration is NOT an application. Candidates must separately submit the application for Notification No.19/2026 and successfully complete the payment/submission process where applicable.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Application Correction
After the last date of application submission, corrections will be enabled for 7 days only, subject to the notification conditions.
A fee of ₹100 per correction is applicable during the permitted correction period. Certain fields affecting name, fee, age relaxation and community are not available for correction.
Important Points for APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026
- APPSC has announced 37 Horticulture Officer vacancies.
- Notification No. 19/2026 was dated 06 October 2026.
- Applications are online only.
- Last date is 27 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
- Required qualification is a four-year B.Sc./B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Horticulture from the prescribed recognised/accredited university.
- Age limit is 18 to 44 years as on 01 July 2026.
- Pay scale is ₹54,060–₹1,40,540.
- Written examination will be conducted in CBRT mode.
- There is 1/3 negative marking for wrong answers.
- Written examination is followed by Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) for provisionally shortlisted candidates.
- Exam centres are Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupathi and Ananthapuramu.
- Candidates should regularly check the APPSC website for hall tickets, examination date and further updates.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Important Links
| Particulars | Links |
| Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official website | Click Here |
| Join Our WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
1. How many vacancies are available in APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026?
A total of 37 Horticulture Officer vacancies have been notified.
2. What is the last date to apply for APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date is 27 October 2026 up to 11:59 PM.
3. What is the qualification for Horticulture Officer?
Candidates must possess a four-year B.Sc. Degree / B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Horticulture from the prescribed recognised/accredited university.
4. What is the age limit?
The age limit is 18 to 44 years as on 01 July 2026, with applicable relaxation for eligible categories.
5. What is the salary of APPSC Horticulture Officer?
The pay scale is ₹54,060 to ₹1,40,540.
6. What is the selection process?
Selection is based on the Written Examination, subject to qualifying the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).
7. Is there negative marking?
Yes. 1/3 of the marks prescribed for the question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
8. Where will the examination be conducted?
The CBRT will be conducted at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupathi and Ananthapuramu, subject to APPSC’s final arrangements.
9. Is OTPR registration enough to apply?
No. OTPR is not an application. Candidates must separately submit the online application for the notification.
10. When will the APPSC Horticulture Officer exam be conducted?
The examination date will be announced later by APPSC.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Final Summary
APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for eligible Horticulture graduates seeking a government job in Andhra Pradesh. With 37 vacancies, a pay scale of ₹54,060–₹1,40,540, and applications open from 06 October to 27 October 2026, eligible candidates should complete their application well before the deadline.
Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification carefully and verify their qualification, age, local status, reservation eligibility and certificates before submitting the application.
Official Website: APPSC – psc.ap.gov.in