The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially released the OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) Recruitment 2026 notification on 31st December 2025. OPSC has announced 118 vacancies (including 40 for women) for the post of Assistant Agriculture Officer (Group-B) under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment. Interested candidates can apply online from 10th January to 30th January 2026 through the official OPSC website.
OPSC AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification
The OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF is provided below for candidates’ reference. This PDF contains complete details about vacancies, category-wise distribution, eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, and syllabus. Aspirants can refer to it to ensure they meet all requirements before applying. The notification also includes instructions for fee payment, reservation rules, and document submission procedures.
Download OPSC AAO 2026 Notification PDF
OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
The OPSC AAO Recruitment 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for candidates with an Agriculture/Horticulture background to join a Group-B state service. Below is a detailed overview with all key information for aspirants.
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) |
| Vacancies | 118 (40 for Women) |
| Advertisement No. | 06 of 2025-26 |
| Registration & Fee Dates | 10th January to 27th January 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 30th January 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Selection Process | Written Examination, Personality Test (Interview) |
| Written Exam Date | 19th February 2026 (Tentative, Thursday) |
| Pay Scale | Level-10, Cell-1 of ORSP Rules, 2017 (₹44,900/- approx.) |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
| Essential Qualification | B.Sc. in Agriculture or B.Sc. in Horticulture |
| Age Limit (as on 01.01.2025) | 21 to 42 Years |
OPSC AAO Vacancy 2026
The OPSC AAO Recruitment 2026 includes a total of 118 vacancies distributed across various categories. The vacancies also include horizontal reservations for PwD, Ex-Servicemen, and Sports Persons. Below is the category-wise vacancy distribution.
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 61 (20-w) |
| Socially & Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) | 14 (05-w) |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 29 (10-w) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 14 (05-w) |
| Total | 118 (40-w) |
Horizontal Reservation:
- Persons with Disability (PwD): 05 Posts (Cat-II, III, IV)
- Ex-Servicemen: 04 Posts
- Sports Persons: 01 Post
OPSC AAO Apply Online 2026
The OPSC AAO Apply Online 2026 process will be active from 10th January 2026. Aspirants must fill the Proforma Application Form and complete registration through the official OPSC website opsc.gov.in. Make sure to pay the examination fee (if applicable) within the specified window. Candidates are advised to double-check all details before final submission. Below is the direct application link.
Direct Link to Apply for OPSC AAO Recruitment 2026
How to Apply for OPSC AAO 2026?
Candidates applying for the OPSC AAO 2026 must complete the process online only. A valid email ID and mobile number are mandatory for registration and all communications.
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the official OPSC website: opsc.gov.in. |
| 2 | Click on the “Apply Online” link for Assistant Agriculture Officer (Advertisement No. 06 of 2025-26). |
| 3 | Register by providing basic details to generate login credentials. |
| 4 | Log in and fill the detailed Online Application Form carefully. |
| 5 | Upload scanned photograph, signature, and required documents/certificates as per prescribed format. |
| 6 | Pay the examination fee of Rs. 700/- online (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI) if you are not from SC/ST/PwD category. Fee payment window: 10th – 27th Jan 2026. |
| 7 | Submit the application form before the final deadline (30th January 2026, 5:00 PM). |
| 8 | Take a printout of the final submitted application form for future reference and document verification. |
Assistant Agriculture Officer Application Fee
Candidates applying for the OPSC AAO 2026 are required to pay a refundable examination fee. The fee will be refunded to candidates who appear in both papers of the Written Examination.
| Category of Applicant | Examination Fee | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / SEBC Candidates | ₹ 700/- | Refunded after appearing in both papers of the Written Exam. |
| SC / ST / PwD Candidates | Exempted | Not Applicable |
Also Read: Odisha Civil Service Recruitment 2025, Apply Online for 314 Vacancies at opsc.gov.in
OPSC AAO Eligibility 2026
The OPSC has defined clear eligibility criteria for all candidates. Applicants must meet requirements related to nationality, age, educational qualifications, and language as on the specified dates.
Age Limit
A candidate must have attained 21 years and must not be above 42 years as on 01st January 2025 (born not earlier than 02-01-1983 and not later than 01-01-2004).
Age Relaxation
Upper age relaxation is applicable as per government rules:
- SEBC/SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
- Persons with Disability (PwD – 40% or more): 10 years
- PwD belonging to SEBC/SC/ST: Cumulative relaxation of 15 years.
Educational & Other Qualification
- Essential Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture [B.Sc. (Ag.)] or Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] from a recognized University/Institution. No other equivalent qualification is accepted.
- Language: Must be able to read, write and speak Odia. Must fulfil one of the four language criteria mentioned in the notification.
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
Assistant Agriculture Officer Exam Pattern & Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of two stages:
1. Written Examination (Objective Type – MCQ):
- Papers: Two papers (Paper-I & Paper-II), both on Agriculture subject at Bachelor’s Degree level.
- Marks: 100 marks each (Total 200 Marks).
- Questions: 100 questions per paper.
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks (25% of the mark) deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.
- Qualifying Marks: OPSC will fix minimum qualifying marks for each paper and in total.
2. Personality Test (Interview):
- Marks: 25 Marks.
- Shortlisting Ratio: Candidates who qualify in the Written Exam will be shortlisted for the Interview in a ratio of 1:2 (twice the number of vacancies) category-wise.
Final Merit: Based on aggregate marks in Written Exam (200) + Interview (25) = Total 225 Marks.
OPSC AAO Salary 2026
Selected candidates will be appointed as Assistant Agriculture Officer (Group-B) in the Level-10, Cell-1 of the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017. The approximate starting basic pay is ₹44,900/- per month (corresponding to the pre-revised scale of ₹9,300-34,800 with Grade Pay ₹4,600). They will also be eligible for usual Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances as sanctioned by the state government from time to time. The post is permanent.
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for OPSC AAO 2026?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 30th January 2026 (5:00 PM). The fee payment window closes on 27th January 2026.
Q2. How can I apply for OPSC AAO 2026?
Ans: Candidates must apply online only through the OPSC website (https://opsc.gov.in). No other mode is accepted.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in Assistant Agriculture Officer 2026?
Ans: There are a total of 118 vacancies for the post of Assistant Agriculture Officer.
