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OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 notification is out for 22 Assistant Horticulture Officer posts. Check eligibility, age limit, salary, application fee and apply online from 28th July 2026 at opsc.gov.in.
OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
If you’ve got a B.Sc. in Horticulture or Agriculture tucked away and you’ve been waiting for a solid state government opening, the Odisha Public Service Commission just gave you one. OPSC has released the detailed notification for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026, inviting applications for 22 Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) posts under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment. Online registration opens on 28th July 2026, and candidates who meet the age and qualification criteria can apply through the official portal at opsc.gov.in. Here’s everything you need to know before you start filling the form.
OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement No. | 06 of 2026-27 (Notification No. 4200/PSC, Dt. 18.07.2026) |
| Job Category | State Government Recruitment |
| Job Level | State Government |
| State / UT | Odisha |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Total Vacancies | 22 (07-W) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Highlights
A few things worth flagging before you dive into the details:
- OPSC has notified 22 vacancies for Assistant Horticulture Officer, Class-II (Group-B) of the Odisha Horticulture Service.
- Online applications open on 28th July 2026 and close on 28th August 2026 (5:00 PM).
- Only candidates with a B.Sc. (Horticulture) or B.Sc. (Agriculture) degree are eligible — no other equivalent qualification is accepted.
- Age limit is 21 to 42 years, with relaxation for reserved categories.
- Selection is through a Written Examination (200 marks) followed by a Personality Test/Interview (25 marks).
- The written exam is tentatively scheduled for 27th September 2026 (Sunday).
- Selected candidates will draw pay in Level-10 of the Pay Matrix.
OPSC AHO Vacancy Details 2026
Out of the total 22 posts, ST candidates get the largest share with 9 vacancies, followed by SC with 7 and UR with 6. No vacancy has currently been notified under the SEBC category.
| Category | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 06 (02-W) |
| SEBC | 00 (00-W) |
| SC | 07 (02-W) |
| ST | 09 (03-W) |
| Total | 22 (07-W) |
OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Ag.)] from a University or Institution recognized by any State Government or the Government of India. OPSC has been clear on this point — no other equivalent qualification apart from a degree in Horticulture or Agriculture will be considered.
Age Limit
Applicants must be at least 21 years old and not older than 42 years, meaning candidates should be born between 2nd January 1984 and 1st January 2005.
Age Relaxation
- 5 years relaxation for SC, ST, Women, and Ex-servicemen candidates.
- 10 years relaxation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with 40% or more permanent disability.
- A cumulative relaxation of 15 years applies to PwD candidates belonging to SC/ST categories.
OPSC AHO Salary 2026
Selected Assistant Horticulture Officers will be placed in Level-10, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules, 2017, which corresponds to the pre-revised scale of PB-2 Rs. 9,300–34,800/- with Grade Pay of Rs. 4,600/-. Beyond the basic pay, candidates will also receive Dearness Allowance and other allowances as applicable under Odisha government norms — a fairly standard and stable Group-B pay package for a technical horticulture role.
OPSC AHO Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Other Categories | Rs. 700/- |
| SC/ST/PwD | Exempted |
OPSC AHO Selection Process 2026
Recruitment to the Assistant Horticulture Officer post happens in two stages:
- Written Examination: An MCQ-based exam of 200 marks, split into two papers on Horticulture subjects, 100 marks each, evaluated through OMR. There’s a negative marking rule too — 25% of the marks for a correct answer gets deducted for every wrong response, while unattempted questions are marked zero.
- Personality Test (Interview): Candidates who clear the written exam move on to a Personality Test worth 25 marks.
OPSC AHO Important Dates 2026
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| OPSC Notification Release | 18th July 2026 |
| Apply Online Starts | 28th July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 28th August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| OPSC AHO Written Exam Date | 27th September 2026 (Sunday), Tentative |
Documents Required
Keep these ready before you sit down to fill the form:
- Recent passport-size photograph (scanned copy)
- Scanned signature
- Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI)
- Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets
- Category certificate (SC/ST/SEBC/PwD, if applicable)
- Age proof document
- Valid ID proof
How to Apply for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026
The online application process is fairly straightforward if you follow it step by step:
- Visit the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in.
- Read through the detailed instructions provided on the portal before starting the form.
- Fill in the Proforma Application with your personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload a scanned passport-size photograph, full signature, and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) as specified.
- Pay the applicable application fee online — this step doesn’t apply to SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
- Once submitted successfully, you’ll be assigned a unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).
- Download and keep a printout of the final submitted form along with copies of your certificates for future reference.
OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 (FAQs)
When was the OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 notification released? The detailed notification for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 (Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27) was released on 18th July 2026.
How many vacancies are there in OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? A total of 22 (07-W) vacancies have been announced for the Assistant Horticulture Officer post, spread across UR, SC, and ST categories.
What is the last date to apply online for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? The online application window closes on 28th August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What is the educational qualification required for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? Candidates need a B.Sc. (Horticulture) or B.Sc. (Agriculture) degree from a recognized University or Institution. No other equivalent qualification is accepted.
What is the age limit for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age, with relaxation available for SC, ST, Women, Ex-servicemen, and PwD candidates.
Is there an application fee for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? Yes, General category candidates need to pay Rs. 700/-, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempted from the fee.
What is the selection process for OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? Selection is based on a Written Examination of 200 marks followed by a Personality Test (Interview) of 25 marks.
When is the OPSC AHO Written Exam 2026 scheduled? The written exam is tentatively scheduled for 27th September 2026 (Sunday).
Is there negative marking in the OPSC AHO Written Examination? Yes, 25% of the marks allotted for a correct answer is deducted for every wrong response, while unattempted questions get zero marks.
What is the salary for Assistant Horticulture Officer under OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026? Selected candidates will be placed in Level-10 of the Pay Matrix, corresponding to the pre-revised scale of PB-2 Rs. 9,300–34,800/- with Grade Pay of Rs. 4,600/-, along with usual allowances.
OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Final Words
If horticulture or agriculture is your field and you fit the age and qualification bracket, OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 is worth your serious attention. Don’t wait till the last week of August to start your application — go through the official notification PDF carefully, keep your documents ready, and apply well within the window to dodge any last-minute portal rush. Good luck with your preparation.
Useful Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
| Check Latest Jobs | Click Here |
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