The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27 for direct recruitment to 22 posts of Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) in Class-II of the Odisha Horticulture Service, under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment. Online applications will be accepted from 28.07.2026 to 28.08.2026 (5:00 P.M.) through the official OPSC website, opsc.gov.in. This article covers all details of the notification, including eligibility, age limit, application fee, exam pattern, syllabus, and the application process.
Official Notification: OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Notification - Advt No. 06 of 2026-27, Notice No. 4200/PSC, Dt. 18.07.2026, issued by OPSC, Kataka.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement No. | 06 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 22 (07-W) |
| Department | Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 28.07.2026 |
| Application Last Date | 28.08.2026 (5:00 P.M.) |
| Exam Date (Tentative) | 27.09.2026 (Sunday) |
| Selection Process | Written Examination + Personality Test/Interview |
| Official Website | https://opsc.gov.in |
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Important Dates
- Online Application Start Date: 28.07.2026
- Online Application Last Date: 28.08.2026 (5:00 P.M.)
- Tentative Written Exam Date: 27.09.2026 (Sunday)
The detailed schedule and centre of examination will be notified separately by the Commission in due course.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Vacancy Details 2026
A total of 22 (07-W) vacancies have been notified for the post of Assistant Horticulture Officer, category-wise as follows:
| Sl. No. | Category | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UR | 06 (02-W) |
| 2 | SEBC | 00 (00-W) |
| 3 | SC | 07 (02-W) |
| 4 | ST | 09 (03-W) |
| Total | - | 22 (07-W) |
Additionally, out of the total 22 (07-W) vacancies:
| Category | No. of Posts Reserved |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen | 01 |
| Persons with Disabilities (Cat-I LV) | 01 |
Candidates belonging to the Ex-Servicemen and PwD categories will be adjusted against the categories to which they belong.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
A candidate must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Agriculture)] from any University or Institution recognized by any State Government or the Government of India. No other equivalent qualification except a Degree in Horticulture or Agriculture will be accepted.
Odia Language Requirement
Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, and must satisfy at least one of the following:
- Passed Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject; or
- Passed Matriculation or equivalent examination with Odia as the medium of examination in a non-language subject; or
- Passed Odia as a language subject in the final examination of Class-VII from a recognized school; or
- Passed a test in Odia in Middle English School standard conducted by the School & Mass Education Department or the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha.
Other Eligibility Conditions
- Candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Candidate must be of sound mental and physical health, free from any physical defect likely to affect service efficiency (this provision does not apply to PwD candidates).
- A candidate with more than one living spouse is not eligible unless exempted by the State Government.
- Government servants may apply but must inform their Head of Office in writing and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in advance.
- Candidates debarred by OPSC, another State PSC, or UPSC for a specific period are not eligible during that period.
Candidates who have completed their postgraduate degree in life sciences can also explore more Graduate Government Jobs and M.Sc Life Sciences Jobs available across India.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Age Limit 2026
A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not be above 42 years as on the 1st day of January 2026, i.e., must not have been born earlier than 2nd January 1984 and not later than 1st January 2005.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / Women / Ex-Servicemen | 05 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (40% or more permanent disability) | 10 years |
| PwD candidates belonging to SC/ST | Cumulative 15 years |
A candidate who falls under more than one relaxation category will be eligible for only one benefit - whichever is most beneficial. Age relaxation cannot be availed beyond the limits prescribed above. Date of birth as entered in the High School Certificate (or equivalent) will only be accepted.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Salary
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/-, along with usual Dearness Allowance and other allowances as sanctioned by the Government of Odisha from time to time. The posts are temporary but likely to continue.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR / SEBC | Rs. 700/- (Rupees Seven Hundred only) |
| SC / ST / PwD | Nil (Exempted) |
Fees must be paid online through Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, or Wallet. The fee will be refunded only to candidates who actually appear in both papers of the Written Examination. Applications without payment of fee (except SC/ST/PwD candidates) will be treated as incomplete and rejected outright. Candidates must also furnish bank account details (Account Number, IFSC Code, Account Holder Name, Bank Branch Name) for refund purposes in case of technical failure.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Selection Process
Selection will be made through a competitive examination consisting of a Written Examination and a Personality Test (Interview).
Written Examination (200 Marks)
| Paper | Full Marks | No. of Questions | Duration | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 100 | 100 (MCQ) | 2 hours | Horticulture |
| Paper II | 100 | 100 (MCQ) | 2 hours | Horticulture |
- Both papers are Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) evaluation.
- Each correct answer carries 01 mark.
- Negative marking applies: 25% of the marks awarded for a correct answer will be deducted for each wrong response.
- Unattempted questions carry zero marks.
- Questions will be of Bachelor's Degree standard.
Personality Test / Interview
The Interview carries 25 marks. Candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks fixed by the Commission for the Written Examination will be shortlisted for the interview, in the ratio of about 1:2 of advertised vacancies per category, subject to a minimum of 5 candidates.
Final Select List
The Select List will be prepared based on the aggregate marks secured in the Written Examination and Interview, out of a total of 225 marks. In case of a tie in aggregate marks, the candidate with higher marks in the Written Examination will be ranked higher; if that is also equal, the older candidate will be placed higher.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Syllabus
The syllabus for both papers is of Bachelor's degree standard and covers Horticulture and allied subjects.
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.)
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)
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Required Documents
Candidates must upload the following scanned documents during the online application, and produce originals for verification if shortlisted:
- 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, showing 40% or more disability)
- Release Certificate (for Ex-Servicemen candidates) along with a notarized Affidavit
- 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)
How to Apply for OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official OPSC website: https://opsc.gov.in
- Go through the detailed instructions available on the OPSC portal before filling the application.
- Register and fill in the online application form with accurate details.
- Upload scanned photograph, full signature, and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) as specified.
- Pay the examination fee (Rs. 700/- for UR/SEBC candidates) through the available online payment modes.
- Verify the submitted application copy after submission.
- On successful submission, a unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN) will be generated.
- Take a printout of the finally submitted Registration and Application form and keep it for future reference along with document copies.
Candidates are advised to submit their applications well in advance to avoid last-minute rush, as applications received through any mode other than online will not be accepted.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer: Important Instructions
- Applications found incomplete in any respect are liable for rejection without further correspondence.
- Candidates who wish to modify submitted information must cancel and reapply before the closing date.
- Admission to the Written Examination/Interview is provisional; eligibility will be verified at subsequent stages.
- Candidates found guilty of malpractice or submitting forged documents will be debarred from OPSC examinations for 03 years.
- Details such as marks secured by the Last Selected Candidate (LSC) and individual marks will be declared only on the OPSC website after the final result.
- Any complaint regarding the conduct of the examination must be sent to the Grievance Wing at [email protected] within 07 days of completion of the examination.
- Submission of an NPS application is mandatory for all recommended candidates at the time of joining Government service.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Facilitation Counter
| Purpose | Contact | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Support (registration/application issues) | 0671-2304707 | 10:30 A.M.–1:30 P.M. & 2:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M. (working days) |
| General Facilitation Counter | 0671-2304141 / 2305611, Ext. 227 | 10:30 A.M.–1:30 P.M. & 2:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M. (working days) |
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer: Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
- Join Arattai Channel: Click Here
- Join Telegram Channel: Click Here
- Join WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
- Sarkari Result: Click Here
- Download Mobile App: Click Here
Candidates looking for more research opportunities can also explore the latest Odisha Government Jobs across various departments. Applicants searching for openings closer to the NCR region can check Cuttack Government Jobs for upcoming vacancies. Those holding a postgraduate degree in science can also browse more M.Sc Government Jobs and Research Fellow Jobs matching their qualification.
