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The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released a notification for the recruitment of 22 Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) posts. Candidates with a B.Sc. in Horticulture or Agriculture can apply online from 28 July 2026. This is a significant opportunity for graduates seeking government jobs in the agriculture sector in Odisha.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026
ProJobAlert.com | |
|---|---|
| OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Vacancy 2026 Advertisement No.:- 06 OF 2026-27 | |
| Recruitment Authority | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) |
| Total Vacancies | 22 |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Start Date to Apply | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026 (5:00 P.M.) |
| Qualification | B.Sc. (Horticulture) or B.Sc. (Agriculture) |
| Age Limit | 21 - 42 Years |
| Selection Process | Written Examination & Personality Test (Interview) |
| Salary | Level-10 of ORSP Rules, 2017 |
| Application Fees |
General/SEBC: ₹700/- SC/ST/PwD: Exempted (Fees refundable to candidates appearing in both papers of Written Exam) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Syllabus & PYQs PDF | Check Notification |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
| 👉 Apply Online Now | |
Important Date
- Notification Released: 18 July 2026
- Application Start: 28 July 2026
- Last Date : 28 August 2026 (5:00 P.M.)
- Exam Date: 27 September 2026 (Tentative)
- Admit Card: To be Notified
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 42 Years
- Age Calculation Date: As on 01 January 2026
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST/Women/Ex-servicemen: 5 Years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 10 Years
- SC/ST PwD: 15 Years (Cumulative)
- Note: Kindly Read Full Official Notification Before Apply.
Application Fees
- General/SEBC Candidates: ₹700/-
- SC/ST/PwD Candidates: Exempted from fee payment
- Payment Mode: Online (Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, Wallet etc.)
- Refund Policy: Examination fees will be refunded only to those candidates who actually appear in both papers of the Written Examination.
Qualification
- Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Agriculture)].
- The degree must be from any University or Institution recognized by any State Government or the Government of India.
- No other equivalent qualification will be accepted.
Full Eligibility
To be eligible for the OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer post, candidates must meet specific criteria including educational qualifications, age limits, and other essential conditions as detailed in the official notification.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a Citizen of India. |
| Health Standards | Must be of sound mental and physical health, free from any physical defect likely to affect efficiency. |
| Odia Language Proficiency | Must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, and have passed:
a. Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject; OR b. Matriculation or equivalent examination with Odia as medium of examination in non-language subject; OR c. Odia as language subject in Class-VII final examination from a recognized School; OR d. A test in Odia in Middle English School standard conducted by S&ME Department/BSE, Odisha. |
| Marital Status | Should not have more than one spouse living (unless exempted by State Government). |
| Government Servants | Eligible to apply, but must inform their Head of Office and furnish a "No Objection Certificate (NOC)" during document verification. |
| Debarment | Candidates debarred by OPSC, other State PSCs, or UPSC are not eligible during the specified debarment period. |
| Medical Examination | Every selected candidate must qualify a Medical Board examination. |
Salary
Selected candidates for the Assistant Horticulture Officer position will receive an attractive salary package as per the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017, along with various allowances sanctioned by the Government of Odisha.
| Pay Scale Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Matrix Level | Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under ORSP Rules, 2017 |
| Pre-revised Scale | PB-2: Rs. 9,300 - 34,800/- |
| Grade Pay | Rs. 4,600/- |
| Allowances | Usual Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances as sanctioned by the Government of Odisha from time to time. |
- The posts are temporary but are likely to continue, offering stability in government service.
- New recruits appointed on or after 01 January 2005 will be covered by the Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS).
Selection Process
The selection for OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer will be a two-stage process, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and personal aptitude to identify the most suitable candidates for the role.
- Stage 1: Written Examination (200 Marks) - An Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) based exam with OMR evaluation.
- Stage 2: Personality Test / Interview (25 Marks) - Candidates shortlisted from the written exam will appear for an interview.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on the aggregate marks secured in both the Written Examination and the Personality Test (Interview) out of a total of 225 marks.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: If aggregate marks are equal, candidates with higher marks in the Written Examination will be ranked higher. If written exam marks are also equal, the older candidate will be assigned a higher position.
Exam Pattern
The OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Written Examination will comprise two papers, both focusing on Horticulture subjects, with a negative marking scheme for incorrect responses.
| Paper | Subject | Full Marks | No. of Questions | Duration | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Horticulture Subjects | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours | 1 mark for each correct answer. 0.25 marks (25%) deducted for each wrong answer. Zero mark for un-attempted questions. |
| Paper-II | Horticulture Subjects | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 4 Hours (Total) | ||
- The examination will be of Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ Pattern) with Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) Evaluation.
- The Commission will fix qualifying marks for each paper and/or aggregate for each category.
- Candidates will be shortlisted for the Personality Test (Interview) in a ratio of approximately 1:2 of the advertised vacancies, based on their written examination marks.
- The Syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II is appended in Appendix-A of the official notification and covers various aspects of Horticulture.
Post / Category Wise Vacancy
A total of 22 vacancies for Assistant Horticulture Officer have been announced by OPSC, with reservations for various categories including women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Persons with Disabilities, and Ex-Servicemen.
| Sl. No. | Category | No. of Vacancies | Women (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UR (Unreserved) | 06 | 02 |
| 2 | SEBC (Socially & Educationally Backward Classes) | 00 | 00 |
| 3 | SC (Scheduled Caste) | 07 | 02 |
| 4 | ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 09 | 03 |
| Total Vacancies | 22 | 07 | |
| Sl. No. | Category | No. of Posts Reserved |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ex-Servicemen | 01 |
| 2 | Persons with Disabilities (Cat-I LV, 40% or more) | 01 |
Job Profile & Responsibility
An Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) plays a crucial role in promoting and developing horticulture practices within their assigned region. They are responsible for implementing government schemes, providing technical guidance to farmers, and contributing to the overall growth of the agricultural sector, particularly in fruit, vegetable, and flower cultivation.
- Field Supervision: Overseeing horticultural projects and schemes at the ground level.
- Farmer Guidance: Providing technical advice and training to farmers on modern horticultural techniques, crop management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest management.
- Scheme Implementation: Assisting in the implementation of various government schemes related to horticulture development, subsidies, and infrastructure.
- Data Collection: Collecting and maintaining data related to horticultural crop production, area, yield, and farmer participation.
- Extension Services: Acting as a liaison between research institutions and farmers to disseminate new technologies and best practices.
- Nursery Management: Promoting and supervising the establishment and maintenance of quality nurseries for horticultural plants.
- Report Generation: Preparing regular reports on progress, challenges, and recommendations for horticultural development.
How To Apply
Candidates interested in the OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 must apply online through the official OPSC website by following a structured application process to ensure successful submission.
- Step 1: Read Notification: Carefully go through the official advertisement available on the OPSC website (opsc.gov.in) to understand all details and instructions.
- Step 2: Online Registration: Visit the OPSC website (opsc.gov.in) and click on the link for "Online Application" for Advertisement No. 06 OF 2026-27. Complete the registration process to obtain a unique "Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN)".
- Step 3: Fill Application Form: Fill in all required details in the online application form accurately. The system is automated and will guide you through the process.
- Step 4: Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your latest passport-size photograph, full signature, and Left-hand Thumb Impression (LTI). Ensure these are clear and identifiable.
- Step 5: Pay Application Fee: Pay the prescribed examination fee (₹700/- for General/SEBC) through the online mode. SC/ST/PwD candidates are exempted.
- Step 6: Review and Submit: Before final submission, carefully review all entered information. If any modification is needed, you must cancel the application and apply again within the last date.
- Step 7: Print Application: After successful submission, take a printout of the finally submitted online Registration/Re-registration and the Online Application form. Sign the declaration on the hard copy.
- Step 8: Document Verification: Keep the hard copy along with copies of all requisite certificates and documents ready for submission to OPSC when asked for document verification.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2026 | Click Here |
| All India Govt Jobs | Click Here |
| Odisha Jobs | Click Here |
| OD Agriculture Jobs | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer 2026?
The last date to apply online for the OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 is 28 August 2026 (5:00 P.M.). Candidates are advised to complete their applications well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
What is the educational qualification required for OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Agriculture)] from a University or Institution recognized by any State Government or the Government of India.
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