The APPSC Horticulture Officer Notification 2026 has been officially released for 37 vacancies. Interested candidates can apply online starting from 6 October to 27 October 2026. Review all essential details, including eligibility criteria, important dates, selection process, exam pattern, and syllabus below.
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has announced the APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 for the A.P. Horticulture Service. A total of 37 Horticulture Officer positions are available under the zonal cadre. The online application window is open from 6 October 2026, and candidates can submit their applications via the official APPSC portal until 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM.
APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026 Recruitment Overview
Find the essential highlights of the APPSC Horticulture Officer recruitment process in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Post Name | Horticulture Officer |
| Service | A.P. Horticulture Service |
| Notification Number | 19/2026 |
| Notification Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 37 |
| Pay Scale | ₹54,060–₹1,40,540 |
| Educational Qualification | Four-year B.Sc./B.Sc. (Hons.) Degree in Horticulture |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 6 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 October 2026 |
| Examination Mode | Online (CBRT) |
| Examination Type | Single-Level Examination |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
APPSC Horticulture Officer Notification 2026 PDF
The official APPSC Horticulture Officer Notification 2026 provides comprehensive details regarding the A.P. Horticulture Service recruitment. Candidates are encouraged to verify the vacancy breakdown, salary structure, educational requirements, application timeline, and the examination scheme outlined in the document.
Download Official APPSC Horticulture Officer Notification 2026 PDF
APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026: Important Dates
The application window for the APPSC Horticulture Officer recruitment 2026 is officially open from 6 October 2026, closing on 27 October 2026 at 11:59 PM. Ensure you submit your application before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Brief Notification Release Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Detailed Notification | On or before 6 October 2026 |
| Apply Online Begins | 6 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 October 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Exam Date | To be announced |
APPSC Horticulture Officer Vacancy Details 2026
APPSC has announced 37 provisional vacancies for the Horticulture Officer role in the A.P. Horticulture Service. Please note that vacancy counts are subject to revision based on departmental requirements. The position offers a competitive pay scale of ₹54,060–₹1,40,540.
Zone-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
| 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 |
How to Apply Online for APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026
The online application portal for APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026 has been active since 6 October 2026. Applicants should thoroughly review the detailed notification before completing their online submission on the official website before the 27 October 2026 deadline.
Apply Online for APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026 – Direct Link
APPSC Horticulture Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
Applicants for the Horticulture Officer recruitment must meet the specific eligibility standards set by APPSC. Below are the standard educational qualifications and age requirements as per the latest guidelines.
Educational Qualification Requirements
Candidates aiming for the Horticulture Officer position must hold a four-year B.Sc. degree in Horticulture from a recognized university or an ICAR-accredited institution.
- Four-year B.Sc. Degree or 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.
- Candidates holding degrees through Open University or Distance Education must ensure that the qualification has the required recognition. The notification states that such degrees must have recognition by the Distance Education Council, Government of India.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The prescribed age limit for this recruitment is 18 to 42 years. Government-approved age relaxations will be provided to reserved categories in accordance with Andhra Pradesh state regulations.
Updated AP Government Upper Age Limit: 44 Years
The Andhra Pradesh government has revised the upper age limit for direct recruitment in Non-Uniform Services from 42 to 44 years. As per G.O.Ms.No.187, issued on 14 September 2026, this relaxation remains in effect until 30 September 2027, applying to all APPSC-conducted exams.
View Official Age Relaxation Notification
Application Fee Details
The APPSC Horticulture Officer application includes a mandatory ₹250 processing fee. The ₹120 examination fee is waived for qualified reserved categories and specific groups as defined by the commission.
| Candidate Category | Processing Fee | Examination Fee | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Other Eligible Candidates | ₹250 | ₹120 | ₹370 |
| SC/ST/BC/PBD/Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 | Exempted | ₹250 |
| Eligible AP White Card Families | ₹250 | Exempted | ₹250 |
| Eligible Unemployed Youth | ₹250 | Exempted | ₹250 |
| Candidates from Other States | ₹250 | ₹120 | ₹370 |
APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026 Selection Procedure
The selection process consists of a single-level, objective-type examination conducted in Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) format. No separate screening test will be conducted, regardless of the number of applicants.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The written examination follows a Degree-standard objective format. It includes a mandatory qualifying test in English and Telugu, followed by three core papers: General Studies & Mental Ability, Horticulture-I, and Horticulture-II. Each paper consists of 150 questions carrying 150 marks.
| 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 | Written Examination | 550 | – | 550 |
Important Note: Candidates must qualify individually in the English and Telugu tests (50 marks each). The three main papers have a cumulative weightage of 450 marks, with a penalty of 1/3 negative marking for each incorrect response.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Syllabus 2026
The 2026 syllabus focuses on General Studies & Mental Ability alongside specialized horticultural disciplines, including fruit/vegetable crop science, floriculture, plantation crops, nursery management, and post-harvest technology. Use this outline to structure your exam preparation effectively.
Qualifying Language Test
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| General English | Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Idioms & Usage, Sentence Rearrangement |
| General Telugu | Grammar, Vocabulary, Synonyms, Translation, Usage |
Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | National & International Events, Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs |
| General Science | Science & Technology, Everyday Science, IT Developments |
| Indian History | Modern India, Freedom Movement, Andhra Pradesh History |
| Polity | Constitution, Governance, Public Policy, Panchayati Raj |
| Economy | Indian Economy, Andhra Pradesh Economy, Economic Development |
| Geography | India & Andhra Pradesh Geography |
| Environment | Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection |
| Disaster Management | Disaster Preparedness, GIS & Remote Sensing |
| Mental Ability | Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Data Interpretation |
| Data Analysis | Tables, Graphs, Mean, Median, Mode, Variance |
| Andhra Pradesh | State Bifurcation and Administrative Developments |
Paper II: Horticulture-I Syllabus
| Unit | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Fruit Crops | Mango, Banana, Citrus, Grapes, Guava, Papaya, Sapota, Pineapple, Rootstocks, High Density Planting, Orchard Management, Growth Regulators, Harvesting, Storage |
| Vegetable Crops | Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Potato, Okra, Cucurbits, Cole Crops, Root Crops, Onion, Garlic, Leafy Vegetables, Seed Production, Post-Harvest Management |
| Floriculture | Rose, Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Gerbera, Anthurium, Marigold, Carnation, Tuberose, Landscaping, Ornamental Gardening |
| Plantation & Spice Crops | Coconut, Cashew, Cocoa, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, Nutmeg, Coffee, Tea |
| Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Cultivation Practices, Processing, Commercial Uses |
| Post-Harvest Technology | Grading, Packaging, Storage, Ripening, Export Standards |
Paper III: Horticulture-II Syllabus
| Unit | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Plant Propagation | Seed Propagation, Vegetative Propagation, Nursery Management |
| Plant Physiology | Photosynthesis, Respiration, Plant Growth Regulators |
| Soil Science | Soil Fertility, Soil Chemistry, Soil Conservation |
| Plant Pathology | Fungal, Bacterial & Viral Diseases, Disease Management |
| Entomology | Insect Pests, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Biological Control |
| Organic Farming | Organic Production Practices, Certification, Biofertilizers |
| Greenhouse Technology | Protected Cultivation, Polyhouse Management |
| Irrigation | Drip Irrigation, Sprinkler Irrigation, Water Management |
| Extension Education | Transfer of Technology, Extension Methods |
| Agroforestry | Agroforestry Systems, Tree Management |
Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
A mandatory Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) evaluates practical skills in office automation and computer software. This 60-minute, 100-mark assessment requires a minimum score of 30 (SC/ST), 35 (BC), or 40 (OC) to qualify.
CPT Syllabus Coverage:
- Introduction to computers and peripherals
- Computer software
- Operating systems
- Windows
- Basic Linux and Mac OS concepts
- Internet and email
- World Wide Web
- Office applications
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets
- Presentation software
The test covers document formatting, typing efficiency, insertion of objects, spreadsheet management (formulas, graphs), and PowerPoint presentation design.
The Horticulture Officer position offers significant career growth and stability within the Andhra Pradesh government framework. Key benefits include competitive pay, allowances, and job security.
- Government job with long-term career stability
- Attractive salary and allowances
- Career growth opportunities
- Opportunity to work in the Horticulture Department
- Additional benefits as per government service rules
APPSC Horticulture Officer Salary Structure 2026
Horticulture Officers receive a monthly salary in the pay scale of ₹54,060–₹1,40,540. Additionally, successful candidates are entitled to allowances and service benefits as mandated by current Andhra Pradesh government policies.
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Horticulture Officer | ₹54,060–₹1,40,540 |