Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Officer
Introduction
State-level recruitment for Agriculture Officer posts in the AP Agriculture Service.
- Conducting body: Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC)
- Scope: State
- Region: Andhra Pradesh
- Department: Agriculture Department (Andhra Pradesh)
- Post: Agriculture Officer (AP Agriculture Service)
- Mode: Online (OTR + application)
- Official site: psc.ap.gov.in
The Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Officer Recruitment is conducted by APPSC to fill Agriculture Officer posts in the Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Department. It supports the state's agriculture-extension system and offers a career in the AP Agriculture Service.
The selection generally includes a written examination, a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT), an interview, and document verification. The post is commonly treated as a Group II service post in the department structure.
Services and Posts
- Agriculture Officer (AP Agriculture Service)
- Career progression: Agriculture Officer → District Agriculture Officer → Joint Director
Exam Body and Conduct
APPSC (Vijayawada) releases the notification on psc.ap.gov.in, accepts applications via One-Time Registration (OTR), conducts the written exam and CPT, and completes interview + document verification before final merit.
Important Highlights
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Post | Agriculture Officer |
| Service | AP Agriculture Service (Group II) |
| Selection | Written → CPT → Interview → DV |
| Latest cycle | Notification 09/2025 (12 Aug 2025), 10 vacancies |
| Pay scale | ₹54,060–₹1,40,540 |
| Official site | psc.ap.gov.in |
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
From an ICAR-recognised university:
- 4-year B.Sc. (Agriculture), or
- B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering)
Age Limit
- Minimum: 18 years
- Maximum: 42 years (cut-off date 01/07/2025)
- Relaxation: OBC +3, SC/ST +5 years
Nationality / Domicile
- Indian citizen.
- Must satisfy Andhra Pradesh local status / domicile requirements.
Reservation
As per Andhra Pradesh government rules in force on the notification date:
| Category | Reservation (approx) |
|---|---|
| SC | ~7% |
| ST | ~4% |
| BC | ~29% |
| EWS | ~10% |
- Horizontal: Women, PwBD, Ex-servicemen as per rules. Local/district-wise reservation applies.
Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Selection Stages
1. Written Examination (Agriculture + General Studies)
2. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) — qualifying
3. Interview
4. Document Verification
Written Exam Structure
| Component | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | ~300 | 3 hours | 1/3 per wrong |
| General Studies | ~150 | 1/3 per wrong | |
| **Total** | **~450** |
- Interview: ~50 marks (added to final score).
- CPT is qualifying/selection-linked as prescribed.
Syllabus
Agriculture Core
Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics.
General Studies
Current affairs, Indian polity, economy, general science, geography, AP governance/administration.
*Aligned with the standard B.Sc. Agriculture syllabus; revise extension topics and AP-specific GS.*
How to Apply
1. Create/update One-Time Registration (OTR) on psc.ap.gov.in.
2. Log in, select the Agriculture Officer notification.
3. Fill personal, educational, category details; upload documents.
4. Pay the fee online.
5. Submit and save the confirmation/printout.
Documents
Educational certificates, DOB proof, community certificate, local-status/domicile docs, photo, signature, ID proof.
Application Fee
- Application fee: ₹250
- Examination fee: ₹80 (exempted for SC/ST/BC/EWS/PwBD)
Previous Year History
| Cycle | Vacancies | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Notification 09/2025 (12 Aug 2025) | 10 | AP Agriculture Service, zonal |
*Counts are from the official notification; confirm on psc.ap.gov.in.*
Salary, Benefits, and Service Conditions
- Pay scale: ₹54,060–₹1,40,540
- Approx. gross: ~₹60,000 per month
- DA, HRA, other government allowances, service-rule deductions
Preparation
- Books: B.Sc. Agriculture texts, ICAR reference guides, APPSC previous papers.
- Plan: 4–6 months. Revise core agriculture subjects → daily objective practice → GS alongside → timed mocks.
- Short notes for crop cycles, soil types, pests/diseases; weekly weak-topic revision.
Career Path
Agriculture Officer → District Agriculture Officer → Joint Director, per service rules, seniority, and vacancy availability.
FAQs
1. What is the AP Agriculture Officer Recruitment?
An APPSC exam for Agriculture Officer posts in the AP Agriculture Department.
2. Who conducts it?
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).
3. Official website?
4. What post is offered?
Agriculture Officer in the AP Agriculture Service.
5. Educational qualification?
4-year B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) from an ICAR-recognised university.
6. Age limit?
18–42 years (cut-off 01/07/2025); OBC +3, SC/ST +5.
7. AP domicile required?
Yes — local status / domicile is required.
8. Selection stages?
Written exam → CPT → Interview → Document verification.
9. Is there a written exam?
Yes.
10. Is CPT included?
Yes, as a qualifying stage.
11. Interview stage?
Yes.
12. Syllabus subjects?
Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, General Studies.
13. Exam pattern?
Written (Agriculture + GS, ~450 marks, 1/3 negative); Interview ~50 marks.
14. Negative marking?
Yes — 1/3 mark per wrong answer.
15. Application fee?
₹250 application + ₹80 exam fee (exam fee exempted for SC/ST/BC/EWS/PwBD).
16. How to apply?
Via OTR on psc.ap.gov.in, then the notification-based application form.
17. Salary?
₹54,060–₹1,40,540; approx gross ~₹60,000/month.
18. Latest vacancy count?
Notification 09/2025 notified 10 Agriculture Officer posts.
19. Career growth?
Agriculture Officer → District Agriculture Officer → Joint Director.
20. Is it Group II service?
Yes, commonly treated as a Group II post in the department structure.
Official Sources
- APPSC official website: https://psc.ap.gov.in
- APPSC Recruitment: https://psc.ap.gov.in
- National Career Service: https://www.ncs.gov.in