The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released a detailed Notification No. 19/2026 dtd, 06-10-2026 for the direct recruitment of Horticulture Officers in the A.P. Horticulture Service. Online applications are invited from eligible candidates possessing a recognized 4-year degree in Horticulture to fill 37 provisional vacancies. The online registration process is active on the Commission’s official portal from October 6, 2026, to October 27, 2026.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organization Name | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Post Name | Horticulture Officer in A.P. Horticulture Service |
| Total Vacancies | 37 |
| Job Category | State Government Jobs |
| Job Location | Andhra Pradesh |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 54,060 – Rs. 1,40,540 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | October 6, 2026 |
| Application End Date | October 27, 2026 (up to 11:59 P.M.) |
| Mode of Application | Online via https://psc.ap.gov.in |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
APPSC Horticulture Officers Notification 2026 PDF
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has issued Notification No. 19/2026 for the direct recruitment of Horticulture Officers within the A.P. Horticulture Service. The commission is inviting online applications to fill 37 vacancies across various zones. Eligible candidates must apply through the official APPSC website using the One Time Profile Registration (OTPR) system.
APPSC Horticulture Officer Jobs 2026 Important Dates
| Events | Dates / Timings |
| Brief Notification Release Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Detailed Notification Availability | On or before October 6, 2026 |
| Starting Date for Online Application | October 6, 2026 |
| Closing Date for Online Application | October 27, 2026 (up to 11:59 P.M) |
| CBRT Examination Date | To be announced |
APPSC Horticulture Officer Vacancy Details
The Commission has announced a total of 37 provisional vacancies for the post of Horticulture Officer in the A.P. Horticulture Service.Â
Break Up of Vacancies (Zonal Post) – APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026
A total of 37 vacancies are distributed across six zones. Here is the detailed breakdown by category:
| Category | Zone-I (Open/Local) | Zone-II (Open/Local) | Zone-III (Open/Local) | Zone-IV (Open/Local) | Zone-V (Open/Local) | Zone-VI (Open/Local) | Total (Open/Local) | Grand Total |
| OC | 01 / 02 | 01 / 03 | – / 03 | 01 / 03 | 01 / 03 | 01 / 02 | 05 / 16 | 21 |
| SC-I | – / – | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | – / 01 | – / – | – / 02 | 02 |
| SC-II | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / 01 | 01 |
| SC-III | – / – | – / – | 01 / – | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | 01 / 01 | 02 |
| ST | – / 01 | – / – | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / 02 | 02 |
| BC-A | – / – | – / 01 | – / 01 | – / – | – / 01 | – / – | – / 03 | 03 |
| BC-B | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / 01 | – / 02 | 02 |
| BC-C | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | – / 01 | 01 |
| BC-D | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – |
| BC-E | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – / – | – |
| EWS | – / 01 | – / – | – / 01 | – / 01 | – / – | – / – | – / 03 | 03 |
| TOTAL | 01 / 06 | 01 / 05 | 01 / 06 | 01 / 06 | 01 / 05 | 01 / 03 | 06 / 31 | 37 |
Horizontal Reservation (Without Roster Points):
The vacancies under Horizontal Reservation are distributed as follows. All eligible candidates, irrespective of Category/Community/Gender, may apply for these vacancies:
Women (OC): 6 Vacancies (Zone I: 1, Zone II: 1, Zone III: 2, Zone IV: 1, Zone V: 1, Zone VI: 0)
Meritorious Sports Persons (MSP): 2 Vacancies (Zone III: 1, Zone VI: 1)
APPSC Horticulture Officer Posts 2026: Eligibility Conditions
General Requirements:
Applicants must be citizens of India.
Candidates must possess sound health, active habits, and be free from any bodily defect or infirmity that renders them unfit for service.
Candidates must have character and antecedents that qualify them for the service.
Education Details
| Post Name | Essential Educational Qualification |
| Horticulture Officer | Must possess a Four-year B.Sc. Degree / B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Horticulture of a recognized University in the State or any other University accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. |
The degree must be obtained from a recognized University in the State or any other University accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi.
The crucial date for calculating experience and qualifications is the date of the detailed notification.
APPSC Horticulture Officers Salary / Pay Scale
| Post Name | Scale of Pay (in Rs.) |
| Horticulture Officer | Rs. 54,060 – 1,40,540/- |
APPSC Horticulture Officer Jobs 2026 Age Limit
Applicants must be between a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 44 years of age as of July 1, 2026.
Age Relaxations:
| Category | Relaxation of Age Permissible |
| SC, ST, BCs and EWS | 5 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PBD) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen & N.C.C. Instructors | Allowed to deduct 3 years in addition to the length of service rendered in the armed forces or NCC |
| Regular A.P. State Government Employees | Allowed to deduct the length of regular service up to a maximum of 5 years (Employees of Corporations, Municipalities, etc., are not eligible) |
| Retrenched Temporary Census Employees | 3 Years (Requires a minimum service of 6 months in the State Census Department) |
APPSC Horticulture Officer Selection Process
The selection for the Horticulture Officer post is based on the merit obtained in the Written Examination (Objective Type), subject to qualifying a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).
Scheme for Written Examination (Objective Type – Degree Standard)
The written examination consists of four papers totaling 450 marks for the final merit calculation. There is a negative marking penalty where 1/3rd of the marks prescribed for the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Duration (Minutes) | Maximum Marks |
| Qualifying Test | General English (50 marks) & General Telugu (50 marks) at SSC Standard. (Candidates must qualify in English and Telugu individually) | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| PAPER-I | General Studies & Mental Ability | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| PAPER-II | Horticulture-I | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| PAPER-III | Horticulture-II | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| TOTAL | Â | 450 |
Scheme for Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
Candidates must also pass a practical Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).
| Test | Duration (Minutes) | Maximum Marks | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| Proficiency in Office Automation with usage of Computers and Associated Software | 60 | 100 | SC/ST/PBD: 30 B.C’s: 35 O.C’s: 40 |
Document Verification: Verification of original academic certificates, ICAR accreditation proofs, community certificates, and other required documents.
Application Fee
Application Processing Fee: Rs. 250/-
Examination Fee: Rs. 120/-
Fee Exemptions:
The following categories are exempted from paying the Rs. 120/- examination fee (they only need to pay the Rs. 250/- processing fee):
SC, ST, BC, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PBDs), and Ex-Servicemen
Families possessing a Household Supply White Card issued by the Civil Supplies Department, A.P. Government (Residents of Andhra Pradesh)
Un-employed youth (as per G.O.Ms.No.439, G.A (Ser-A) Dept., dated: 18/10/1996) upon submission of a declaration
Note: Applicants belonging to other states (except PBD & Ex-Servicemen) are not entitled to fee exemptions and must pay the prescribed Rs. 120/- examination fee alongside the Rs. 250/- processing fee.
Mode of Payment:
Fees must be remitted online using a payment gateway via Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card
IPOs (Indian Postal Orders) or Demand Drafts are strictly not accepted
Fees once paid will not be refunded or adjusted under any circumstances
APPSC Horticulture Officer Notification 2026: How to Apply
Interested candidates must log into the APPSC website and complete their One Time Profile Registration (OTPR) if they are applying for the first time. Upon successful OTPR registration, a user ID is generated and sent to the registered mobile number and email ID. Candidates should retain these contact details for further communication regarding OTP/SMS updates. The OTPR is not considered an application itself; applicants must explicitly submit the online form for the Horticulture Officer post before the deadline. Detailed Application Process:
Visit the official portal of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission at the APPSC Official Portal at psc.ap.gov.in.
Go through the detailed notification (available on or before October 6, 2026) to ensure you satisfy all terms and eligibility requirements.
Complete the One Time Profile Registration (OTPR) if registering for the first time, or log in using existing OTPR credentials.
Navigate to the active application link for Brief Notification No. 19/2026 – Horticulture Officer in A.P. Horticulture Service.
Fill in the application form accurately with personal details, educational qualifications (B.Sc. Horticulture), and category details.
Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the required format and file sizes.
Pay the required application processing and examination fee using the online payment gateway.
Review all entered details, submit the application form before 11:59 P.M. on October 27, 2026, and download a copy for future reference.
Official Links
| APPSC Horticulture Officer Detailed Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| APPSC Horticulture Officer Apply Online Link | Click Here |
