APPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026: Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission has issued Notification No. 19/2026 dated 06 October 2026 for 37 Horticulture Officer posts in A.P. Horticulture Service. Eligible candidates can apply online up to 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM. This guide covers eligibility, age limits, category-wise and zone-wise vacancies, fees, reservations, selection, examination pattern, detailed syllabus, CPT and application process.
Application Start Date: 06-10-2026
Last Date: 27-10-2026
Exam Date: Intimated Later
APPSC Horticulture Officer Notification 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Notification | 19/2026, dated 06-10-2026 |
| Post | Horticulture Officer, A.P. Horticulture Service |
| Recruitment | General Recruitment – Zonal post |
| Vacancies | 37 |
| Applications open | 06-10-2026 |
| Last date | 27-10-2026, 11:59 PM |
| Age as on 01-07-2026 | 18–44 years (relaxations apply) |
| Pay scale | ₹54,060–₹1,40,540 |
| Qualification | Four-year B.Sc. / B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture from eligible recognised/accredited university |
| Selection | Computer-based written recruitment test, followed by qualifying Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) |
| Written examination date | To be announced |
| Official portal | psc.ap.gov.in |
Closing soon: Applications are accepted only online. One-Time Profile Registration (OTPR) alone is not an application; applicants must complete Save & Submit and the payment process.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 06 October 2026 |
| Application starts | 06 October 2026 |
| Application closes | 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Correction facility | Up to seven days after application closing date, subject to permitted fields and fee |
| Hall tickets / CBRT / CPT | Dates to be notified by APPSC |
Vacancies – zone-wise and reservation-wise (Annexure I)
| Zone | Open | Local | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| II | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| III | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| IV | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| V | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| VI | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 6 | 31 | 37 |
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| OC | 21 |
| SC-I | 2 |
| SC-II | 1 |
| SC-III | 2 |
| ST | 2 |
| BC-A | 3 |
| BC-B | 2 |
| BC-C | 1 |
| BC-D | 0 |
| BC-E | 0 |
| EWS | 3 |
| Total | 37 |
Horizontal reservation particulars in Annexure I list six OC women vacancies (Zones I–V: 1, 1, 2, 1, 1; Zone VI: 0) and two meritorious sportsperson vacancies (one each in Zones III and VI). These horizontal reservations overlap vertical categories; do not add them to the 37 total.
Educational qualification
Applicants must possess a four-year B.Sc. Degree or B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Horticulture from a recognised university in Andhra Pradesh or another university accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The prescribed qualification must be held on the date of the detailed notification. Eligibility is subject to the notification’s university-recognition provisions.
Age limit and category-wise relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General age limit | 18–44 years as on 01 July 2026 |
| SC, ST, BC, EWS | 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen / eligible NCC instructors | Deduct length of qualifying service plus three years, as prescribed |
| Regular AP State Government employees | Deduct qualifying regular service, maximum five years; exclusions apply |
| Eligible retrenched temporary Census employees | 3 years, with minimum six months service |
Application and examination fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application processing fee | ₹250 (generally payable by all applicants) |
| Examination fee | ₹120 |
| Usual total | ₹370 |
| Examination fee exemption | SC, ST, BC, PBD, ex-servicemen; eligible AP white-card families; qualifying unemployed youth (subject to conditions) |
| Exempt-category payment | ₹250 processing fee |
| Applicants from other states | Generally ₹370; exemptions and reservation restrictions follow notification provisions |
Pay online via net banking, credit card or debit card. Fees are non-refundable. IPOs and demand drafts are not accepted. Verify exemption eligibility before payment.
Reservation and local candidate rules
- Vertical reservation: SC, ST, BC and EWS. Horizontal reservation: women (33⅓%), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and meritorious sportspersons (3%), as applicable to roster and notified vacancies.
- 95% local reservation is prescribed for this zonal cadre under the 2025 Presidential Order, subject to notification rules.
- Candidates claiming local status generally need study certificates covering Class I to VII as relevant. Residence certificates apply only in specified cases where the candidate did not study in a recognised institution during the relevant period.
- BC non-creamy-layer certificate must meet the stipulated issue window beginning 01 April 2026 and ending on the closing date. EWS income certificate (FY 2025–26) must be issued digitally within the prescribed period.
- Eligible PBD applicants must meet certification requirements. SC/ST/BC/EWS candidates from other states cannot claim the corresponding AP reservation under the notification.
- Local status generally depends on four consecutive academic years ending with Class VII, with seven-year fallback/tie rules; consult Para 6 before claiming a zone.
| Zone | Districts listed in the notification |
|---|---|
| I | Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli |
| II | Alluri Sitarama Raju, East Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema |
| III | West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna |
| IV | Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore |
| V | Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa |
| VI | Nandyal, Anantapuramu, Kurnool, Sri Sathya Sai |
Written examination pattern and negative marking
| Test | Questions | Duration | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying General English + General Telugu (50 marks each; separately qualifying) | 100 | 100 minutes | 100 |
| Paper I: General Studies and Mental Ability | 150 | 150 minutes | 150 |
| Paper II: Horticulture-I | 150 | 150 minutes | 150 |
| Paper III: Horticulture-II | 150 | 150 minutes | 150 |
| Merit papers (I–III) total | 450 | 450 minutes | 450 |
Negative marking: One-third of the marks assigned to each incorrectly answered question is deducted. English and Telugu are qualifying tests; the notification explicitly requires each language to be qualified individually. The exam is a computer-based recruitment test (CBRT).
Detailed syllabus – Annexure II
The following syllabus is reproduced from Annexure II in readable text form so candidates can use it for topic-by-topic preparation. It includes the detailed Horticulture-I, Horticulture-II and CPT sections.
Detailed written-exam syllabus – Part 1 (notification page 15)
ANNEXURE – II
SCHEME AND SYLLABUS TO THE POST OF
HORTICULTURE OFFICER IN A.P. HORTICULTURE SERVICE
(As per G.O RT. No. 2494, G.A. (Ser.A) Department, Dated: 28/11/2018)
WRITTEN EXAMINATION (OBJECTIVE TYPE)- (Degree standard)
No. of Duration Maximum
PAPER Subject Questions Minutes Marks
General English (50 marks)
& General Telugu (50
marks)
Qualifying
(To be Qualified in 100 100 100 Test
English & Telugu
individually)
(SSC Standard)
General Studies & Mental
PAPER-I 150 150 150
Ability
PAPER-II Horticulture-I 150 150 150
PAPER-III Horticulture-II 150 150 150
TOTAL 450
NEGATIVE MARKS: As per G.O.Ms. No.235, Finance (HR-I, Plg & Policy)
Dept.,Dt.06/12/2016, for each wrong answer will be penalized with 1/3rd of the
marks prescribed for the question.
SYLLABUS
QUALIFYING TEST
GENERAL ENGLISH AND TELUGU
(SSC Standard)
Telugu English
a) Comprehension a) Synonyms & Vocabulary
b) Usage and idiom b) Grammar
c) Vocabulary and punctuation c) Telugu to English meanings
d) Logical re-arrangement of d) English to Telugu meanings
sentences
PAPER – I
GENERAL STUDIES AND MENTAL ABILITY
1. Major Current Events and Issues pertaining to International, National and
State of Andhra Pradesh.
2. General Science and its applications to the day to day life Contemporary
developments in Science & Technology and Information Technology.
3. History of India – emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the
subject in its social, economic, cultural and political aspects with a focus on
AP and Indian National Movement.
4. Geography of India with focus on Andhra Pradesh.
5. Indian polity and Governance: constitutional issues, public policy, reforms
and e-Governance initiatives.
6. Indian Economy and planning
7. Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection
8. Disaster management: vulnerability profile, prevention and mitigation
strategies, Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in the assessment of
Disaster
9. Logical reasoning, analytical ability and logical interpretation.
Detailed written-exam syllabus – Part 2 (notification page 16)
10. Data Analysis: Tabulation of data Visual representation of data
Basic data analysis (Summary Statistics such as mean, median, mode and
variance) and Interpretation.
PAPER-II
HORTICULTURE-I
1. FRUIT CROPS
Area, production, importance, uses, origin, distribution, botany, classification of
varieties, use of rootstocks, high density planting, climate, soils, planting
methods, training and pruning, nutrition, bahar treatment, irrigation scheduling,
intercrops, weed control, problems in orchard management, flowering, fruit set,
seedlessness irregular bearing, problems in fruit set, harvesting indices,
harvesting, preharvest treatments, use of growth regulators, yield, grading,
packing for internal and export markets, ripening methods and storage in respect
of mango, banana, citrus, grape, pineapple, guava, papaya and sapota.
Physiological disorders in fruit crops.
2. VEGETABLE CROPS
Importance of vegetables in human diet and national economy. Detailed study
regarding origin and distribution, area and production, importance, nutritive
value, botany, varieties, soil and climatic requirements, seed treatment, seed
sowing/nursery raising, transplanting, nutrition, irrigation, intercultural
operations, physiological disorders, harvest indices, harvesting, post harvest
handling, curing, storage and usage of plant growth regulators in vegetable
crops like tomato, brinjal, chillies, sweet pepper, potato, okra, cucurbitaceous
crops like cucumber, pumpkin, ridge gourd, snake gourd, bitter gourd, bottle
gourd, melons like water melon and must melon, leguminous vegetables like
cluster bean, French bean, dolichos bean, pea and broad bean, cole crops like
cabbage, cauliflower and knolkhol, root crops like radish, carrot, beetroot and
turnip, bulb crops like onion and garlic, tuber crops like sweet potato, tapioca,
amorphophallus, colacasia, dioscorea and yam, leafy vegetables like amaranthus,
palak, Roselle, perennial vegetables like drumstick, coccinia and murraya.
3. COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE, ORNAMENTAL GARDENING AND
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Area, production, importance, uses, origin, distribution, classification of
varieties, propagation, environmental factors affecting growth and flowering,
soils, nutrition, irrigation, weeding, special techniques of production such as
controlling growth and production of flowers, use of growth regulators,
harvesting, postharvest handling, extension of shelf life of flowers of commercial
flower crops such as rose, chrysanthemum, jasmine, carnations, gladiolus,
anthurium, tuberose, china aster, marigold, crossandra and gerbera.
Need for bioaesthetic planning, places suitable for bioaesthetic planning-towns,
cities, villages, schools, temples, road side, parks, ghats of rivers and canals,
platforms, railway lines, public and private buildings, institutes and places of
worship. Ornamental trees, shrubs climbers, cacti, succulents used in
bioaesthetic or landscape gardening. Principles of garden designs, types of
gardens-japanese, English and Moghul gardens. Various features of gardens
such as paths, garden walls, fencing, steps, edges, hedges, arches, pergolas,
shrubbery, topiary, rockery, flower beds, lawns, fountains, statues, water garden,
conservatory and glass or greenhouse. Indoor plants, and their management.
Flower arrangement – principles, styles, containers and holding
solutions.Bonsai – culture and art of making.
4. MEDICINAL, AROMATIC, SPICES, CONDIMENT AND PLANTATION
CROPS
Origin, importance, export potential, varieties, climate, soil requirements,
propagation and planting and after care, mulching, irrigation, training, pruning,
harvesting, yield and post harvest handling, curing and processing practices,
storage methods, and distillation of essential oils of the following crops.
Detailed written-exam syllabus – Part 3 (notification page 17)
Medicinal Plants
Aloe, amla(aonla), stevia, ashwagandha, dioscorea, opium poppy, sarpagandha,
steroids bearing solanum, Phyllanthus amarus, chakramani, madhunasaini,
sweet flag, Catharanthus, roseus, isabgol, fox glove, belladona, senna, tinospora,
annatto, coleus, safed musli and asparagus.
Aromatic Crops
Citronella, lemon grass, palmarosa, vettiver, geranium, davana, mints, lavender
and vanilla.
Spices and condiments
Turmeric, ginger, coriander, fenugreek, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, clove,
nutmeg and cumin.
Plantation Crops
Coconut, cashewnut, oil palm, betelvine, coffee, tea, cacao, arecanut and
rubber.
5. DRYLAND HORTICULTURE AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Dryland horticulture farming, introduction, definition, dry climate and their
classifications with reference to India in general and Andhra Pradesh in
particular. Importance of horticultural crops in dryland, yield potential of
agriculture and horticultural crops in drylands. Fruits and vegetables crops
suitable for dryland farming. Adaptive features of dryland fruit crops for drought
and salinity.
Watershed management, objectives, approaches, steps in watershed
development planning, land use capability, classification, soil and rain water
conservation, water harvesting measures in watershed area. Problems and
prospects under water shed. Alternate water use system.
Cultural practices like planting, training, pruning, nutrition and water
management and harvesting of important dry land fruits viz., ber, pomegranate,
custard apple, phalsa, fig, aonla, jamun and tamarind.
6.Post Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops
Importance of post harvest technology in Horticultural crops. Maturity indices,
harvesting, handling, grading of fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, plantation crops,
medicinal and aromatic plants. Pre-harvest factors affecting quality, factors
responsible for deterioration of horticultural produce, physiological and
biochemical changes, hardening and delaying ripening process. Post harvest
treatments of horticultural crops. Quality parameters and specifications.
Structure of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers related to physiological changes
after harvest. Methods of storage for local market and export, packaging
methods and types of packages, recent advances in packaging. Types of
containers and cushioning materials, vacuum packaging, cold storage, poly
shrink packaging, grape guard packing treatments. Modes of transport.
7. PRESERVATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Importance and scope of fruit and vegetable preservation in India. Principles of
preservation by heat, low temperature, chemicals and various methods of
preservation Selection of site for processing, processing unit layout and
precautions for hygienic conditions of the unit. Preservation of fruits and
vegetables through canning, bottling, freezing, dehydration, drying, suger,
chemicals, salts, vinegar, ultraviolet and ionizing radiations.
Micro-organisms associated with spoilage of fruit and vegetable products.
Spoilage of canned products-hydrogen swell, flipper, dent, leaker etc.,
Biochemical changes associated with spoilage of fruit and vegetable products.
Preservatives and colours permitted and prohibited in India.
8. FARM POWER AND MACHINERY
Farm power in A.P and India – Sources, I.C engines, classification, Tractors –
Types and uses, selection of tractor and cost of tractor power. Electric motors –
types,
Tillage implements – primary secondary tillage drawn implements. Seed cum
fertilizer drills, planters. Grafting and pruning tools and equipment. Implements,
tools and equipment for intercultural operations. Plants protection equipment –
harvesting equipment – soil conservation equipment.
Different kinds of equipments used in processing. Preparation of jams, jellies,
marmalades, candies, crystallized and glazed fruits, preserves, chutneys, pickles,
ketchup, sauce, puree, syrups, juices, squashes and cordials.
Government policy on import and export of processed fruits, food laws. Quality
control of processed products.
Detailed written-exam syllabus – Part 4 (notification page 18)
9. GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Importance, uses, scope and production of horticultural crops in greenhouse.
Status and development of greenhouse production of horticultural crops in the
world and India. Development, constraints, research needs and future of
protected culture of horticultural crops in India and A.P. Points to be considered
before establishing a greenhouse. Types of greenhouses, classification of
greenhouses based on the shapes, material used, utility and cladding material
used. Size and arrangement of greenhouses and characteristics of various
greenhouse cladding materials, greenhouse benches etc.,
Management of light, temperature (greenhouse heating and cooling), CO2 and
relative humidity inside the greenhouse.
Various types of growing media used and their suitability for different
horticultural crops. Preparation of growing media and its pasteurization.
Management of nutrients through fertigation.
Detailed production technology in respect of tomato, cucumber, rose, carnation,
gerbera, chrysanthemum and anthurium under greenhouse/polyhouse.
PAPER-III
HORTICULTURE-II
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF HORTICULTURE:
Definition, importance of horticulture in terms of economy, production, and
employment generation. Nutritional value of horticultural crops. Divisions of
horticulture and their importance. Horticultural stations in Andhra Pradesh.
Horticultural zones of India and Andhra Pradesh.
Temperature, light, humidity, rainfall and soil requirements for horticultural
crops. Selection of site for establishing an orchard, orchard plan, systems of
planting and establishment of an orchard. Importance, scope and practicing of
organic farming in horticultural crop production. Soil and climate for
horticultural crops. Vegetable gardens – nutrition and kitchen gardens and other
types of gardens.
Nutrition of horticultural crops – assessment of nutritional requirements based
on soil, tissue analysis, and field experiments. Identification of deficiency
symptoms of various nutrients and methods of nutrient application. Assessment
of irrigation requirements for different horticultural crops and different methods
of irrigation. Pruning and training, their objectives and methods. Pollination
and fruit set, problems and requirements, flower and fruit drop, stages, causes
and remedial measures. Fruit thinning, objectives, advantages and
disadvantages. Unfruitfulness, reasons and remedial measures. Use of growth
regulators in horticulture. Cropping systems, intercropping, multi-tier cropping,
mulching, bearing habits, factors influencing the fruitfulness and unfruitfulness.
Rejuvenation of old orchards, top working, frame working.
2. PLANT PROPAGATION AND NURSERY MANAGEMENT:
Introduction, principles and classification of plant propagation methods.
Selection of site for commercial nursery. Ecological and economic factors. Plant
propagation structures, containers and media.
Sexual propagation and its importance. Seed dormancy, Seed germination,
process of seed germination. Factors affecting seed germination and pre-
germination treatments and viability tests.
Asexual (vegetative) propagation and it’s importance. Various methods of
Asexual (vegetative) propagation like cuttage, layerage, budding, grafting and
factors responsible for their success. Different types among cuttage, layerage,
budding, grafting methods followed in propagation of different horticultural
crops. Role of root stocks, selection and maintenance of mother trees (scion
bank), scion – stock relationships, bud wood certification, propagation through
specialized structures. Nursery registration act.
Importance of micro propagation of plants. Types of asceptic cultures. Types of
media, preparation of media and inoculation of explants, establishment, sub
culture and rooting of explants.
Detailed written-exam syllabus – Part 5 (notification page 19)
3. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY:
Physiological changes during seed development, germination and seed
dormancy. Seed viability and seed vigour. Photosynthesis – importance, factors
affecting photosynthesis. Light and dark reactions – C3, C4 and CAM pathways.
Significance and differences. Photo-respiration and its significance. Respiration
and its significance.
Nomenclature and classification of plant growth substances. History,
occurrence, distribution, mode of action, movement, mechanism and function of
auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, inhibitors, retardants, phenolic
substances and morphactins.
Role of plant growth regulators in plant propagation, seed and bud dormancy,
juvenility, maturity and senescence, flowering, pollination, fruitset including
parthenocarpy, fruit growth, fruit drop and fruit ripening (climacteric and non-
climacteric) and fruit colour development, tuber and bulb formation and sex
expression and extension of shelf life in fruits, vegetables and flowers.
4. ENTOMOLOGY:
Commonly occurring pests in horticultural crops – distribution, host range,
nature of damage, symptoms and control measures. Life cycle of insect pests,
nematodes etc., Integrated pest management.
5. PATHOLOGY:
Commonly occurring diseases in horticultural crops – host range, etiology,
symptoms and control measures. Life cycle of bacteria, fungal parasites, viruses
etc., Integrated disease management.
6. SOIL SCIENCE:
Soil texture – classes. Soil structure – classification. Soil PH, importance of soil
PH on nutrient availability. Soil organic matter – sources, humus formation, C:N
ratio and its importance.
Soil fertility and productivity. Essential and beneficial elements, criteria of
essentiality. Primary secondary, micronutrients and their functions, deficiency
symptoms, occurrence in horticultural crops, corrective measures. Factors
affecting their availability.
Classification of manures and fertilizers and their differences. Commercial
fertilizers, simple, compound and complex fertilizers, fertilizers mixtures.
Biofertilizers. Integrated nutrient management for horticultural crops. Fertilizer
control order.
7. INTRODUCTORY AGROFORESTRY :
Agro forestry-introduction, status of Indian forests, role in Indian Farming
Systems. Definition-Branches of Forestry. Principles and practices,
classification of Agro forestry systems-inter cropping-Home garden-Types of
coconut based cropping system-planning for Agro foresty-constraints, diagnosis
and design methodology, selection of tree species for agro forestry. Agro forestry
projects-national, overseas, MPTs – their management practices economics of
cultivation – Sisso, Acacia catechu, A.nilotica (Babul),Bez(Z. mauritiana).
Grewia, Subabul, Tamarind, Eucalyptus, Teak, Casuarina, Red sander, Neem,
Soapnut, Aonla, Morus, Bamboo, bio diesel trees-Jatropha, Pongamia,
Simarouba. Distinction between agro forestry and social forestry-objectives,
scope of social forestry. Hortipastoral system – pastures suitable under dry land
condition.
8. EXTENSION EDUCATION:
Formal and informal education. Teaching – learning process, principles of
learning. Commutation – components. Classification of Audio – visual aids.
Transfer of technology programmers – KVK, TAR - IVLP, ATIC, NHM, APMIP,
DWCRA, ANTWA, DAATC. Extension reforms – ATMA, SREP, PRA, different tools
of PRA.
Detailed written-exam syllabus – Part 6 (notification page 20)
9. ORGANIC FARMING IN HORTICULTURAL CROPS :
Introduction, concept, relevance in present context, Organic production
requirements, Biological intensive nutrient management-Organic manures,
vermicomposting, green manuring, compost pits, recycling of organic residues,
bio-fertilizers, soil improvement and amendments: Integrated diseases and pest
management use of biocontrol agents, biopesticides, pheromones, trap crops bird
perches, weed management. Quality considerations, certification, labelling and
accreditation processors, marketing, exports. International and National Policies
in promotion of Organic farming.
*****
Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) – scheme and syllabus
| Details | CPT rules |
|---|---|
| Nature | Practical test in office automation and associated computer software |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Qualifying mark – SC / ST / PBD | 30 |
| Qualifying mark – BC | 35 |
| Qualifying mark – OC | 40 |
CPT topics include computer hardware and software, operating systems, Windows, basic Linux/Mac, internet, office tools, word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software. The assessment pattern allocates 20% to general MCQ assessment, 25% to document preparation/typing, 15% to inserting objects, 20% to spreadsheet work and 20% to presentation work.
Complete CPT syllabus – notification page 21
SCHEME & SYLLABUS OF THE COMPUTER PROFICIENCY TEST (CPT)
Scheme for Computer Proficiency Test
(As per G.O.Ms.No.26, G.A. (Ser.B) Dept., dt: 24.02.2023)
Scheme of the examination (Practical Type)
Duration Maximum Minimum Qualifying Marks
Test
(Minutes) Marks SC/ST/PBD B.C’s O.C’s
Proficiency in Office
Automation with
usage of Computers 60 100 30 35 40
and Associated
Software.
Syllabus for Computer Proficiency Test
PART-A
1. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS: Introduction to Computers - Components
and their classification - Peripheral devices and their purpose. Input Devices -
Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Lighten, Touch screens, Joystick, Micro phone,
Scanner, Digital camera, Bar code reader, Biometric sensor. Output Devices:
Display devices, Printers, Monitor, Speaker, Plotter, Secondary Storage
Devices – Feature- Driven Development (FDD), Magnetic tape, Universal Serial
Bus(USB), Pen Drives, Disks - The Role of input Processing / output
processing devices - Computing Concepts - Data - Information – Random -
Access Memory (RAM) – Read-Only Memory(ROM) - Control Unit - Memory
Unit – Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU).
2. COMPUTER SOFTWARE TYPES: System Software, Application Software,
Embedded software, Proprietary Software, Open source software (their
purpose and characteristics only).
3. OPERATING SYSTEM: Purpose of operating system, Single User and Multi
User Operating Systems with Examples.
4. WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM: Interfacing Graphical User Interface (GUI),
Differences between Character User Interface (CUI) and Graphical User
Interface(GUI) - working With Files and Folders - More About Files - Running
An Application Through the File Manager - Running an Application Through
the Program Manager - Setting up of Printer, Webcam, Scanner and other
peripheral devices.
5. LINUX/MAC OS (only basic concepts): Introduction to Linux - Features and
advantages of Linux, File handling commands, directory handling commands
- User Management - File permissions Macintosh Apple Computer (MAC) OS -
Introduction - Advantages of Macintosh Apple Computer (MAC) OS. Basics
commands
6. INTERNET CONCEPTS (only basic concepts): Minimum Hardware and
Software Requirements for a system to use internet, Communication
Protocols and Facilities - Various browsers - What is Internet Protocol (IP)
Address - Steps required in connecting system to network - Uploading and
Downloading Files from Internet
7. ELECTRONIC MAIL (only basic concepts): Sending and receiving mails,
Basic E-Mail Functions, Using your word processor for E-mail, Finding E-Mail
Address, Mailing Lists and lists Servers.
8. WORLD WIDE WEB (only basic concepts): WWW advantages of the Web -
how to navigate with the Web - Web Searching.
PART – B
1. OFFICE SUITE: MS OFFICE or any open source office like Libre Office
/Apache Open Office Neo office for Windows/Linux/Macintosh Apple
Computer (MAC)OS.
2. GETTING STARTED WITH OFFICE: Introduction to Office Software- Starting
and Exiting the Office Applications - Introducing the Office Shortcut Bar -
Customizing Office Shortcut Bar.
3. FILE OPERATIONS IN THE OFFICE: Common Office Tools and Techniques -
Opening An Application - Creating Files - Entering And Editing Text - Saving
Files - Opening Files - Closing a File - Exiting The Application - Managing
Your files With the Office Applications.
Complete CPT syllabus – notification page 22
4. TOOLS IN THE OFFICE APPLICATIONS: Key Combinations - Cut, Copy and
Paste - Drag And Drop Editing - Menu Bars And Toolbars - Undo and - Redo -
Spell Checking - Auto Correct - Find and Replace - Help And The Office
Assistants - Templates and Wizards.
5. WORD PROCESSING (MS WORD or its equivalent in Libre office /Apache
Open Office / Neo office for Windows/s/Linux/Mac OS): Starting Word
Title Bar - Menu Bar - Format Bar - Standard Bar - Ruler - Workspace Area -
Scroll Bar - Status Bar - Different Toolbars - Option a Menu Bar - Creating
New Document When Word is Running - Opening Pre existing Documents
When Word is Running - Designing Your Document - Typing Text - Selection
text - Deleting Text - Formatting text and document - copying and moving -
Saving Document - Page Setup - Properties of a document - Undo-Redo-Cut-
Copy a Document - Pasting a Document - Print Preview - Printing - Select All -
Find - Replace - Go To - Four Different View Of A Document - Normal, Web
Layout, Print Layout, and Outline Layout- Document Map - Full Screen -
Zoom - Objects - Page Break - Header and Footer - Page Number - Auto
Format - Auto Text - Inserting Date And Time - Working With Header,
Footers-footnotes-Fields-Symbols-Caption Cross Reference-Index-Tabs-Table
and Sorting - Working With Graphics - Inserting Pictures - Modifying Pictures
- Word Art - Inserting Chart - Inserting Files - Hyper Linking - Bookmark -
Using Different Fonts - Paragraph – Bullets Borders and Shading-Columns-
Drop Cap-Theme-Change Case Background-Frames-Style-Spelling And
Grammar - Set Language - Word Count - Auto Summarize - Auto Correct -
Merge Document - Protect Document - Envelopes And Labels - - Templates,
Wizards And Sample Documents - drawing Tables - Merge Cell - Spilt Cells -
Spilt Table - Table Auto Format - Auto Fit - Sort - Formula - Arrange All-Split-
Micro Soft Word Help - Macros - Custom Toolbars - Keyboard Shortcuts -
Menus - Mail Merge.
6. SPREAD SHEET (MS Excel or its equivalent in Libre Office / Apache
Open Office / Neo office for Windows/Linux/Mac OS):
Features Of Excel - Excel worksheet - Selecting Cell - Navigating With The
Mouse And Keyboard - Entering And Editing Text - Text Boxes - Text Notes -
Checking Spelling - Undoing And Repeating Action - Entering And Editing
Formulas - Referencing Cells - Order Of Evolution in Formulas - Copying
Entries And Equations To Minimize Typing - More Auto Fill Examples -
Creating Custom Fill Lists Protecting And Un Protecting Documents And Cell
- Creating A New Worksheet - Excel Formatting Tips And Techniques - Moving
cell - Copying Cells - Sorting Cell Data - Insertion Cells Inserting As You Paste
- Deleting Parts Of Worksheet - Clearing Parts Of A Worksheet - Excel Page
Setup - Changing Column Width And Row Heights - Auto Format - Manual
Formatting - Using style - Format Code Alter A Number's Appearance -
Format Painter Speeds-Up Format Copying - Changing Font Size And
Attributes - Adjusting Alignments - Cantering Text Across Column - Using
Border Buttons And Commands - Changing Color And Shading - Inserting
And Removing Page Breaks - Hiding Rows And Columns - Rearranging
Worksheet - Entering Formula - Excel Functions - Inserting Rows And
Columns - Saving A Worksheet - Printing A Worksheet - Printing Tips For
Large Excel Project - Parts Of A Function - Functions Requiring Add-ins -
Function Wizard - Example Of Functions By Category - Organizing Your Data
- Excel's Chart Features - Chart Parts And Terminology - Instant charts with
The chart wizard - Creating Chart On Separating Worksheets - Resizing And
Moving Charts - Adding Chart Notes And Arrows - Editing Charts - Rotating
3-D Charts - Printing Charts - Deleting Charts Setting The Default Chart Type
- Creating Trend Lines Data Map - Working With Graphics in Excel - Creating
And Pacing Graphic objects - Resizing Graphs - Possible Sources Of Excel
Graphics - Creating and Running Macro - Sorting Excel Data - Adding
Subtotals To Databases - Customizing Excel - Customizing Workspace –
Comma Separated Value (CSV) File format - Using Worksheet As Databases.
7. PRESENTATION SOFTWARE (MS Power Point or its equivalent in Libre
Office/Apache Open office/Neo office for Windows/Linux/Mac Os):
Introduction - Starting Presentation Software - Views in Presentation Software
- Slides - Terminology - Color Schemes - Formatting Slides - Creating a
Presentation - Using the Auto Content Wizard - Masters- - Using a Template -
Creating a Blank Presentation - Working with Text in Power Point - Adding
Slides Editing And Working Text - Working in Outlaying view – Spell checking
- Finding And Replacing Text - Formatting Text - Aligning Text - Developing
Complete CPT syllabus – notification page 23
Your Presentation - Importing images From The Outside World - The Clipart
Gallery - Drawing in Presentation software- Bringing A Presentation to Life -
Inserting Objects in Your Presentation - Inserting A Picture - Working With
Graphics - Multimedia in Power Point - Animating The Objects, Pictures,
Graphics, - Enhancements to the Slide Show Showing Slides Out Of Order
Printing Presentation Elements - Finalizing The Presentation - Assigning
Transitions And Timings - Setting The Master Slide - Setting Up The Slide
Show - Running The Slide Show.
Assessment Pattern:
Part-A: Test may be designed to assess the candidate by means of MCQs.
(20%of Total Marks)
Part-B: A computer based assessment test where they need to:
1. Prepare a model document and organize the same in a formatted manner.
This should cover evaluating the typing speed, organizing the document and
covering several other aspects such as inserting tables, inserting
Images/WordArt, mail merge, etc.
2. Evaluating typing speed (25% of Total Marks)
(This may be made mandatory for qualifying based on the norms existing)
3. Organizing and inserting different objects
(15% of Total Marks)
4. Prepare an Excel Sheet to fill with data and format the sheet,
merging/splitting cells, formulae for calculation in the cells, conditional
formatting, preparation of different graphs based on the data.
(20% of Total Marks)
5. Prepare a Power Point presentation using the standard layouts available and
filling different slides with content (Formatted text, images, tables, transition
effects, animation etc.).
(20%of Total Marks)
<<<0>>>
Selection, qualifying marks and test centres
| Category | Minimum aggregate qualifying marks |
|---|---|
| OC, sportspersons, ex-servicemen, EWS | 40% |
| BC | 35% |
| SC, ST, PBD | 30% |
Appointment is based on written-examination merit, subject to qualifying CPT and other conditions. The notification also provides special treatment for SC/ST selection when sufficient candidates do not attain minimum marks. All papers must be attended; absence in any paper disqualifies candidature. In ties, older candidates generally rank first, followed by earlier qualification date, subject to applicable preferential-qualification rule.
- CBRT test cities: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Anantapuramu.
- Enter three centre preferences; APPSC may allocate another available centre.
- For multiple-session tests, APPSC may normalise results and announce percentile-based scores.
- Initial answer-key objections must be lodged within three days, with ₹100 per objection (refundable if sustained).
- General Studies paper is in English with Telugu translation; Horticulture subject papers are in English only.
How to apply online – step by step
- Open the official APPSC website.
- Complete One-Time Profile Registration (OTPR), or log in with the existing OTPR ID and password.
- Choose Online Application Submission and select Notification No. 19/2026.
- Review and correct personal, qualification, local-status and category details before submitting.
- Fill the application-specific fields, zone/post preferences and examination-centre choices.
- Click Save & Submit; merely clicking Save does not complete the application.
- Complete the applicable payment through the gateway.
- Download and keep the submitted application PDF, payment reference and confirmation.
Documents and certificate checklist
- OTPR ID and access to registered mobile number and email address.
- Four-year horticulture degree and supporting academic records.
- Study certificates covering the relevant Class I–VII period, or eligible residence certificate as prescribed.
- Applicable community, EWS and BC non-creamy-layer certificates issued within required periods.
- Eligible PBD, ex-servicemen, sports, white-card or unemployment documentation if claiming benefits.
- Photograph, signature and other uploads required by the APPSC application and user guide.
- Payment reference and copy of the final submitted form.
Important instructions and cautions
- APPSC may reject inaccurate or incomplete applications. False declarations can lead to debarment up to five years or other penalties.
- Corrections after closing are allowed only for a limited time and eligible fields, at ₹100 per correction; name, fee, age-relaxation and community-related fields cannot be corrected as stated.
- Do not bring phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, pen drives or other prohibited electronics to the examination hall.
- APPSC will publish hall tickets and examination date at its official website; the date is not specified in the PDF.
- No waiting list is provided under the specified recruitment rules.
Frequently asked questions – APPSC Horticulture Officer 2026
How many Horticulture Officer vacancies are there?
37 zonal vacancies across six zones.
What is the last date to apply?
27 October 2026 up to 11:59 PM.
Is B.Sc. Agriculture accepted?
The stated qualification is a four-year B.Sc. / B.Sc. (Hons) in Horticulture. The PDF does not state that a general B.Sc. Agriculture is equivalent.
What is the salary?
₹54,060 to ₹1,40,540 pay scale.
Does the exam have negative marks?
Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
Is there a computer proficiency test?
Yes. Shortlisted candidates must qualify the CPT, which is a 100-mark practical test.
Is local reservation available?
Yes, the notification provides for 95% local reservation for zonal posts, subject to its stated criteria.
When will the exam take place?
The written CBRT date will be announced subsequently on the APPSC website.
Where can I apply?
Apply through the official APPSC website at https://psc.ap.gov.in/.
Is OTPR registration enough?
No. Applicants must separately complete the online application and applicable payment.