The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially released Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27 for the recruitment of Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) positions. Prospective candidates holding a degree in Agriculture or Horticulture can apply online via the official website from July 28, 2026, to August 28, 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 22 vacancies under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Government of Odisha. The selection process will comprise a competitive written examination followed by a personality test (interview).
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OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 Overview
The Odisha Public Service Commission has announced a recruitment drive for Class-II (Group-B) Assistant Horticulture Officer vacancies. Detailed highlights including the department name, pay scale, and key dates are organized below for quick access.
| Recruitment Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Commission | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement Number | 06 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 22 Posts (07 reserved for women) |
| Department | Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Odisha |
| Pay Scale | Level-10, Cell-1 of ORSP Rules, 2017 (Pre-revised PB-2: Rs. 9,300-34,800/- + GP Rs. 4,600/-) |
| Online Registration Dates | July 28, 2026, to August 28, 2026 (Till 5:00 PM) |
| Tentative Written Exam Date | September 27, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Job Nature & Posting Place | Temporary (likely to continue); Exam at Kataka and Bhubaneswar |
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The official notification clarifies the distribution of the 22 available vacancies across distinct social categories, including horizontal reservations for special groups. Candidates should review these category allocations before submitting their applications online.
| Sl. No. | Category | Number of Vacancies (Women Reservation) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unreserved (UR) | 06 (02-w) |
| 2 | Socially & Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) | 00 (00-w) |
| 3 | Scheduled Caste (SC) | 07 (02-w) |
| 4 | Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 09 (03-w) |
| Total Vacancies | 22 (07-w) | |
Additionally, special reservations are earmarked within the respective categories as detailed below:
- Ex-Servicemen: 01 Post
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 01 Post reserved specifically for Category-I (Low Vision - LV) candidates whose permanent disability is 40% or more.
- Important Note on Non-Availability: If eligible women candidates are unavailable in any category, the unfilled vacancies will be filled by eligible male candidates from the same category. No exchange of reservation between SC and ST categories will be permitted.
Important Dates
Salary Structure
Job Type: Group B
Pay level: 10 (Cell-1)
Basic Pay: 44,900/-
Maximum Pay: 1,42,400/-
DA: 60%
HRA: 8% to 16%
Medical Allowance: 1000/-
Approximately Monthly In-Hand salary: Rs. 59,000 to 64000 per month for a new entrant
Eligibility Criteria & Age Limits
To apply for the Assistant Horticulture Officer position, candidates must satisfy the defined educational requirements and age boundaries as of the cut-off date. Compliance with language proficiency and general citizenship rules is mandatory for consideration.
1. Age Relaxation & Cut-off Date
Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not exceed the age of 42 years as of January 1, 2026. This implies applicants must be born between January 2, 1984, and January 1, 2005. The upper age limit is relaxable under the following categories:
- SC / ST / Women / Ex-Servicemen: Relaxable by 5 years (up to 47 years).
- Persons with Disabilities (40% or more): Relaxable by 10 years (up to 52 years).
- SC/ST candidates with Permanent Disabilities: Eligible for a cumulative age relaxation of 15 years (up to 57 years).
2. Educational Qualification
An applicant must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture [B.Sc. (Ag.)] from a recognized University or Institution. No other equivalent qualifications will be entertained by the commission.
3. Language Proficiency (Odia Language Mandate)
Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia fluently. They must possess at least one of the following qualifications:
- Passed Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject.
- Passed Matriculation or equivalent examination with Odia as a medium of examination in a non-language subject.
- Passed in Odia as a language subject in the final exam of Class VII from a school recognized by the Government of Odisha or the Central Government.
- Passed a test in Odia in Middle English School standard conducted by the School & Mass Education Department of Odisha or the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha.
Examination Fee & Refund Policies
Candidates must submit the designated application processing fee through online modes during the application form filling window. The OPSC has structured a clear refund roadmap for individuals who successfully participate in the written assessment stages.
As per the Odisha Payment of Recruitment Examination Fees and Refund Rules 2025, the application fees are categorized as follows:
- General / Unreserved Candidates: Rs. 700/- (Rupees Seven Hundred Only).
- SC / ST / PwD (Odisha Category Only): Exempted from paying any examination fee.
- Refund Rule: The examination fee will be refunded only to those candidates who actually appear in both papers of the written examination. Incomplete applications submitted without the fee will be summarily rejected.
- Processing of Refund: Refunds will be initiated post-examination to the original mode of transaction (UPI, Credit/Debit card, Net banking). Candidates must also supply valid bank details (Account number, IFSC, name) in the online application form as a backup mechanism for technical transaction failures.
OPSC AHO Selection Process & Exam Structure
The selection system involves a dual-layered competitive framework designed to evaluate the professional core competence of applicants. It consists of an objective multiple-choice question exam followed by a face-to-face personality assessment.
The evaluation components are distributed as follows:
| Evaluation Phase | Pattern & Details | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I (Horticulture Subjects) | Objective Type MCQ (100 Questions, 1 Mark each) | 100 Marks | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II (Horticulture Subjects) | Objective Type MCQ (100 Questions, 1 Mark each) | 100 Marks | 2 Hours |
| Personality Test / Interview | Oral Face-to-Face Viva-Voce | 25 Marks | - |
| Aggregate Selection Criteria | 225 Marks | ||
Negative Marking and Shortlisting Norms
- Negative Marking: For every incorrect response, 25% (0.25 marks) will be deducted from the total score. Un-attempted questions will receive zero marks.
- Qualifying Marks: The commission reserves the right to set minimum qualifying marks for each paper or in aggregate.
- Interview Ratio: Candidates will be shortlisted for the personality test based on written exam scores in a ratio of 1:2 against the advertised vacancies (subject to a minimum of 5 candidates per category).
- Tie-Breaking Rule: If two or more candidates secure identical aggregate marks, the candidate with higher marks in the written exam will be ranked higher. If the written test scores are also equal, the older candidate by birth date will be given preference.
Syllabus for Written Examination
The written assessment covers diverse sub-disciplines within agricultural sciences, specialized field techniques, and plant management paradigms. The questions will align with standard Bachelor's Degree requirements.
Paper - I Syllabus Topics
- Agro Meteorology: Agro-climate zones of India & Odisha, weather forecasting, climate change risks, and climate-resilient horticulture practices.
- Soil and Nutrition: Soils of Odisha, problematic soil management, manures, integrated nutrient management (INM), and nutrient use efficiency.
- Water Management: Soil-plant-water relations, irrigation scheduling, drip & sprinkler micro-irrigation systems, fertigation, and drainage systems.
- Weed Management: Classification, crop-weed competition, integrated weed management (IWM), and environmental impacts of herbicides.
- Dryland Farming & Integrated Farming Systems: Rainfed horticulture, drought mitigation, water harvesting, conservation agriculture, and IFS models.
- Seed Technology & Plant Protection: Seed production, dormancy, certification, storage, insect pests, diseases, nematodes, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
- Agricultural Economics & Statistics: Cost of cultivation, agri-business management, FPO, CBBO, supply chain, data collection, and statistical analysis.
- Related Horticultural Subjects: Tillage implements, organic certification, protected cultivation, vermicomposting, apiculture, mushroom farming, and digital initiatives of the Odisha Government.
Paper - II Syllabus Topics
- Plant Propagation & Nursery Management: Sexual & asexual propagation (cutting, budding, grafting, layering, tissue culture), hi-tech nurseries, and Nursery Act implementation.
- Commercial Fruit Crops: Cultivation practices, disorders, and post-harvest management of Mango, Banana, Citrus, Pineapple, Guava, Papaya, Sapota, Ber, Pomegranate, Litchi, and Custard Apple. Also covers niche crops (Aonla, Jamun, Jackfruit) and exotic items (Dragon fruit, Strawberry, Avocado, Passion fruit).
- Plantation Crops: Production, harvesting, grading, packaging, value addition, and marketing of Coconut, Areca nut, Cashew nut, Oil palm, Palmyra palm, Date palm, Cocoa, Coffee, and Tea.
- Vegetable Crops: Open field and off-season cultivation of Solanaceous crops, Cucurbits, Pod vegetables, Okra, Cole crops, Bulb crops, Root crops, Leafy vegetables, Tree vegetables, and Tropical tuber crops.
- Spices, Condiments, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants: Cultivation protocols for Betel Vine, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric, Curry Leaf, Coriander, Fenugreek, Fennel, Cumin, Periwinkle, Rauwolfia, Ocimum, Kewda, Aloe vera, and Lemongrass.
- Ornamental Horticulture & Landscaping: Principles of landscaping, lawn maintenance, flower arrangements, Bonsai, urban horticulture, and open/protected cultivation of commercial flowers like Rose, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Jasmine, Crossandra, Dahlia, Tuberose, Orchid, Carnation, Anthurium, and Gerbera.
Examination Cities
Required Documents for Verification
Applicants who qualify the written examination stage must present original documents alongside duly self-certified photocopies during the verification phase. Certificates must be issued by competent authorities on or before the online application closing date.
Candidates must scan and upload the following original documents into the e-Chayan portal during the online registration process:
- High School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent proof of age.
- Intermediate / +2 Examination Certificate.
- B.Sc. Horticulture or B.Sc. Agriculture Degree Certificate.
- Mark sheets of all academic examinations from HSC up to Bachelor's Degree.
- Conversion Certificate: Candidates awarded letter grades or CGPA instead of marks must upload an official conversion formula certificate from their university.
- Four recent unsigned and unattested passport-size photographs matching the online upload.
- Caste Certificate for SC/ST candidates (Women candidates must present caste certificates showing "daughter of..." rather than "wife of...").
- Odia Test Pass Certificate matching Middle English School standard criteria.
- Permanent Disability Certificate specifying 40% or more disability (wherever applicable).
- Discharge Certificate and non-employment affidavit (Appendix-B) for Ex-Servicemen.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) for currently employed Government servants.
- Valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, Voter ID, or Passport).
How to Apply for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026
The application procedure is executed exclusively via the automated digital portal of the commission within the active timeline. Candidates must check all entered values carefully before final submission to avoid instant system rejections.
- Step 1: Navigate to the official portal of OPSC at https://opsc.gov.in.
- Step 2: Read the detailed application instructions and user manuals provided on the homepage portal screen.
- Step 3: Click on the AHO Registration link (available from July 28, 2026) and generate your unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).
- Step 4: Fill in your authentic personal data, educational records, and bank details required for prospective fee refunds.
- Step 5: Upload scanned copies of your latest passport-size photograph, clear full signature, and Left-hand Thumb Impression (LTI). Ensure files are clearly visible.
- Step 6: Complete the online payment of Rs. 700/- (if applicable) through integrated payment gateways.
- Step 7: Submit the application form, download the final system-generated printout, and sign the declaration area. Keep this document safe for verification rounds.
Grounds for Application Rejection
The commission enforces tight validation protocols on incoming system applications to ensure compliance with structural advertisement rules. Rejection can occur at any cross-verification stage if discrepancies are detected by authorities.
Applications will be summarily rejected without further correspondence under the following circumstances:
- Incomplete or improperly filled online registration forms.
- Failure to submit the hard copy of the application form during document verification.
- Lack of full signature under the declaration space on the printed application form.
- Absence of valid Odia test credentials or failure to fulfill language criteria by the deadline.
- Age parameters falling outside the designated limits (21 to 42 years as of January 1, 2026).
- Requisite degree certificates (B.Sc. Hort / B.Sc. Ag) issued after the last application date.
- Non-payment of the examination fee for non-exempted category applicants.
- Suppression of facts or uploading forged/manipulated certificates (invites a 3-year exam debarment penalty).
Important Links
Access all relevant direct links to official circulars and system registration paths from this consolidated resource console. Ensure to download copies directly from authenticated state networks.
| Resource Link Type | Action Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Online Application Portal | Apply Online Here |
| Official Commission Website | Visit OPSC Portal |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the last date to apply for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026?
The online application link remains active from July 28, 2026, until the closing date of August 28, 2026 (up to 5:00 PM).
Q2: Can B.Sc. Agriculture degree holders apply for the Assistant Horticulture Officer post?
Yes. The official educational criteria accept both Bachelor of Science in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture [B.Sc. (Agriculture)] degrees.
Q3: What is the examination fee refund policy for the OPSC AHO vacancy?
The Rs. 700/- fee will be refunded back to the original payment channel only if the candidate actually attends both Paper-I and Paper-II of the written exam.
Q4: Is there any negative marking in the written exam?
Yes. The examination features multiple-choice objective questions with a penalty clause where 25% (0.25 marks) is deducted for each incorrect attempt.
Q5: Where will the OPSC AHO 2026 written examination take place?
The competitive exam is tentatively planned for September 27, 2026 (Sunday) and will be conducted at exam centres in Kataka and Bhubaneswar.
Conclusion
The OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 presents an excellent career pathway for agricultural and horticultural science graduates to secure a Class-II Group-B rank under the Odisha state government framework. Eligible aspirants should prepare their scanned identification papers, check the core technical syllabus domains, and complete the registration sequence well ahead of the August 28, 2026 deadline to prevent late technical network issues. For technical resolution during application submission, applicants can call the OPSC technical support helpline at 0671-2304707 during state working hours.