OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualifications & Guidelines
Prospective applicants for the OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer recruitment (10–27 January 2026) must verify their eligibility. This guide covers the essential age limits, academic credentials, and regulatory requirements mandated by the OPSC.
The Odisha Public Service Commission has officially opened the application window for the Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) recruitment, running from 10 January 2026 to 27 January 2026 at opsc.gov.in. Before submitting your application, it is critical to confirm that you meet the specific OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer eligibility criteria 2026. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the age limits, educational qualifications, and additional requirements needed to qualify.
OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
As detailed in the official OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Notification 2026, candidates must hold a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture or Horticulture. Applicants must also be Indian citizens and fall within the age bracket of 21 to 42 years. Below, we outline all the necessary requirements to ensure your application is successful.
| Odisha Assistant Agriculture Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission |
| Post | Assistant Agriculture Officer |
| Vacancy | 118 |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 years |
| Nationality | India Citizen only |
| Age Relaxation | As per rules |
| Educational Qualification | B.Sc. (Agriculture) OR B.Sc. (Horticulture) |
| Language Requirements | Proficient in Odia |
OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Eligibility 2026 Age Limit
The Odisha Public Service Commission has set clear age parameters for the Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) post. Candidates must satisfy these age requirements as of 1 January 2025.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 42 years
- Date of Birth Range: Candidates must be born between 2 January 1983 and 1 January 2004
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
Government regulations provide upper age limit relaxations for specific reserved categories as outlined below:
- SC / ST / SEBC / Women / Ex-Servicemen: +5 years (Upper age limit: 47 years)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD – 40% or more): +10 years (Upper age limit: 52 years)
- PwD candidates belonging to SC / ST / SEBC: +15 years (Upper age limit: 57 years)
It is mandatory for candidates to verify their age eligibility and maintain valid, verifiable documentation to support any claims for age relaxation during the selection process.
Odisha Assistant Agriculture Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification
To qualify for the Odisha Assistant Agriculture Officer position, candidates must meet the specific educational standards set forth by the Commission.
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following specialized disciplines:
- B.Sc. (Agriculture)
- B.Sc. (Horticulture)
Important Note: Only the specified degrees are accepted; no other qualifications will be considered equivalent. Please confirm your degree meets these precise requirements before submitting your application.
OPSC AAO Eligibility Criteria 2026: Language Requirement
Given the nature of the role in Odisha, proficiency in the Odia language is mandatory. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak Odia by meeting at least one of the following established conditions:
- Passed the Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject.
- Passed Matriculation (10th) with Odia as the medium of examination in a non-language subject.
- Passed Class VII (final exam) with Odia as a language subject.
- Cleared a special Odia language test conducted by the School & Mass Education Department of Odisha.
Odisha Assistant Agriculture Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: Other Requirements
In addition to academic and linguistic proficiencies, applicants must fulfill the following core eligibility requirements for the OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer position:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India.
- Health: Should be in good mental and physical health.
- Current Government Employees: Must inform their current employer in writing and submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) during document verification.
- Marital Status: Should not have more than one living spouse.
- Disqualification: Candidates previously debarred by OPSC or UPSC from exams are not eligible to apply.
FAQs
Education Requirements: Candidates must hold either a B.Sc. in Agriculture or a B.Sc. in Horticulture. Degrees in other fields are not considered eligible.
Age Limit: Applicants must be aged between 21 and 42 years as of 1 January 2025.
Applicable Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories:
SC/ST/SEBC/Women/Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
PwD (40% or more disability): 10 years
PwD (belonging to SC/ST/SEBC): 15 years
Language Proficiency: Yes, candidates must demonstrate effective communication skills in Odia, including reading, writing, and speaking, verified through prior education or government-mandated language tests.
Odia Language Qualification requirements include having passed:
Middle School level with Odia as a subject;
Class VII level with Odia as a subject;
Matriculation examination with Odia as the medium of instruction;
Or, successfully clearing an Odia language proficiency test administered by the Government of Odisha.