OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) Recruitment 2026

Age Limit & Eligibility

Vacancy Details

How to Apply

1. Visit the official OPSC website (opsc.gov.in) and go to the OPSC e-Chayan online application portal.
2. Read the detailed instructions on the portal before starting the form.
3. Register and fill the online application with accurate personal, educational and category details.
4. Upload the scanned photograph, signature and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) as specified.
5. Pay the examination fee of Rs. 700/- (UR/SEBC candidates) through the available online payment modes; SC/ST/PwD candidates are exempted.
6. Recheck and verify the submitted application before final submission.
7. Note down the Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN) generated on successful submission.
8. Take a printout of the final Registration and Application form and retain it with document copies for future reference.
9. Apply well before the closing date, as applications received through any mode other than online will not be accepted.

Selection Process

• Written Examination consisting of two papers (Paper I and Paper II) of 100 marks each - Objective Type MCQs evaluated through OMR, total 200 marks.
• Personality Test / Interview carrying 25 marks for candidates shortlisted from the written exam, roughly in a 1:2 ratio of advertised vacancies per category (minimum 5 candidates per category).
• Final Select List prepared on aggregate marks (Written Exam + Interview) out of 225; ties broken by higher written-exam marks, then by age (older candidate ranked higher).

Additional Reservation (within total vacancies)

Pay Scale

Selected candidates will be placed at Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under ORSP Rules, 2017, corresponding to the pre-revised scale of PB-2, Rs. 9,300-34,800 with Grade Pay of Rs. 4,600/-, plus Dearness Allowance and other allowances admissible under Government of Odisha rules. The posts are temporary but likely to continue.

Written Examination Pattern

Marking Scheme

• Both papers are Objective Type MCQs evaluated via OMR
• Each correct answer carries 1 mark
• Negative marking: 25% of the marks for a correct answer is deducted per wrong response
• Unattempted questions carry zero marks
• Questions are of Bachelor's Degree standard

Syllabus - Paper I Topics

• Agro Meteorology
• Soil and Nutrition
• Water Management
• Weed Management
• Dry Land Farming
• Integrated Farming System
• Seed Technology
• Plant Protection
• Agricultural Economics
• Agricultural Statistics
• Related subjects: tillage, farm machinery, crop rotation, organic farming, protected cultivation, apiculture, mushroom cultivation, composting, digital initiatives of the State Government, etc.

Syllabus - Paper II Topics

• Plant Propagation and Nursery Management
• Fruit Crops: Mango, Banana, Citrus, Pineapple, Guava, Papaya, Sapota, Ber, Pomegranate, Litchi, Custard Apple and exotic crops like Passion Fruit, Avocado, Dragon Fruit, Strawberry
• Plantation Crops: Coconut, Areca Nut, Cashew Nut, Oil Palm, Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
• Vegetable Crops: Solanaceous, Cucurbits, Pod Vegetables, Cole Crops, Bulb Crops, Root Crops, Leafy Vegetables, Tuber Crops
• Spices, Condiments, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
• Ornamental Horticulture: garden types, landscaping, flower crops, protected cultivation, lawn maintenance

Documents Required

• HSC or equivalent certificate (proof of date of birth)
• Intermediate/+2 Examination Certificate
• B.Sc. Degree Certificate in Horticulture/Agriculture
• Mark-sheets of all qualifying examinations (HSC to Bachelor's Degree)
• Four recent passport-size photographs (unsigned and unattested)
• Caste Certificate (for SC/ST claimants)
• Odia Test Pass Certificate
• Permanent Disability Certificate (for PwD candidates, 40% or more disability)
• Release Certificate with notarized Affidavit (for Ex-Servicemen candidates)
• No Objection Certificate (for candidates already in Government service)
• Proof of Identity: Aadhar / EPIC / Driving Licence / Passport / PAN Card
• Identity Certificate (for Third Gender/Transgender candidates, if applicable)

Important Instructions

• Incomplete applications are liable for rejection without further correspondence
• Candidates wishing to modify submitted information must cancel and reapply before the closing date
• Admission to the Written Examination/Interview is provisional; eligibility is verified at later stages
• Candidates found guilty of malpractice or submitting forged documents will be debarred from OPSC examinations for 3 years
• Marks of the Last Selected Candidate (LSC) and individual marks will be declared on the OPSC website only after the final result
• Examination-related complaints must be sent to the Grievance Wing within 7 days of completion of the examination
• Submission of an NPS application is mandatory for all recommended candidates at the time of joining Government service

Facilitation Counter

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