OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 22 Assistant Horticulture Officer Posts

Important Dates

Candidates should mark these crucial dates in their calendar to ensure they do not miss any deadlines for the OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026:

The Commission will notify the detailed schedule and examination centers separately. It is advisable to regularly check the official OPSC website for updates.

Vacancy Details

A total of 22 vacancies have been announced for the Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) post. These vacancies are distributed across various categories, including reservations for women. Understanding the category-wise distribution is important for applicants to know their specific opportunities.

Out of the total 22 posts, 07 are reserved for women candidates, indicated by '(W)' in the table below. Additionally, reservations for Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Disabilities (Cat-I LV) are also applicable and will be adjusted against the respective categories to which these candidates belong.

Candidates belonging to reserved categories should ensure they have valid certificates to claim their reservation benefits. The 'W' denotes vacancies specifically reserved for women within that category.

Eligibility

Meeting the eligibility criteria is the first and most critical step for any applicant. The OPSC has laid down specific conditions regarding educational qualification, nationality, and language proficiency. Candidates must ensure they fulfill all these requirements before applying.

Educational Qualification Explained: You must hold a Bachelor's degree specifically in Horticulture (B.Sc. Horticulture) or Agriculture (B.Sc. Agriculture). The notification clearly states that no other equivalent qualification will be accepted. This means if your degree is in a related field like Botany or Zoology, it will not be considered valid for this recruitment. Ensure your degree is from a university or institution recognized by either a State Government or the Government of India.

Odia Language Requirement Explained: This is a mandatory condition for candidates applying for government jobs in Odisha. You need to demonstrate proficiency in the Odia language. This can be proven by having passed Odia as a language subject in your Middle School Examination, or having used Odia as the medium of examination in a non-language subject at Matriculation level, or having passed Odia as a language subject in Class-VII, or by passing a specific Odia test conducted by the School & Mass Education Department or the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha. If you do not meet any of these, you are not eligible.

Other Eligibility Conditions: Beyond academic and language requirements, you must be an Indian citizen. You should also be in sound mental and physical health, free from any physical defect that might hinder your service efficiency. However, this health provision does not apply to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates. If you have more than one living spouse, you are generally not eligible unless specifically exempted by the State Government. For those already in government service, it is essential to inform your Head of Office in writing and secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before applying. Lastly, if you have been debarred by OPSC, any other State Public Service Commission, or UPSC for a certain period, you cannot apply during that debarment period.

Age Limit

The age criteria are strictly defined by the OPSC. Candidates must fall within the specified age bracket as on the cut-off date. Age relaxation benefits are available for certain categories as per government rules.

Age Calculation: To be eligible, a candidate must have attained 21 years of age and must not be above 42 years as on 01st January 2026. This means your date of birth must not be earlier than 2nd January 1984 and not later than 1st January 2005. It is crucial to calculate your age accurately based on this cut-off date. The date of birth recorded in your High School Certificate (or equivalent) will be the only one accepted for verification.

Age Relaxation: The government provides age relaxation for specific categories. SC, ST, Women, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are eligible for a 05-year relaxation in the upper age limit. Persons with Disabilities (with 40% or more permanent disability) receive a 10-year relaxation. If a PwD candidate also belongs to the SC or ST category, they can avail a cumulative relaxation of 15 years. However, remember that a candidate falling under more than one relaxation category will only be eligible for one benefit, whichever is most advantageous to them. Age relaxation cannot extend beyond the prescribed maximum limits.

Application Fee

The application fee is a mandatory part of the application process for most candidates. It's important to know the exact amount and the payment methods accepted, as well as any exemptions.

Payment Methods: The application fee must be paid online. You can use various digital payment options such as Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, or Wallet services. Ensure you have sufficient balance or credit limit before initiating the payment.

Fee Refund Policy: The OPSC has a specific condition for fee refunds. The fee will only be refunded to candidates who actually appear in both papers of the Written Examination. This means simply applying and paying the fee does not guarantee a refund if you do not sit for the exam. Applications submitted without the required fee (except for exempted categories) will be considered incomplete and will be rejected outright. Candidates are also required to furnish their bank account details (Account Number, IFSC Code, Account Holder Name, Bank Branch Name) during the application process for any potential refund due to technical failures.

Selection Process

The selection for the Assistant Horticulture Officer posts will be a two-stage process designed to assess candidates' knowledge and suitability for the role. It comprises a Written Examination and a Personality Test (Interview).

Written Examination: This is the first stage and carries a total of 200 marks. It consists of two papers, both focusing on Horticulture, and will be objective type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) evaluation. Each paper will be for 2 hours. For every correct answer, 01 mark will be awarded. However, there is negative marking: 25% of the marks awarded for a correct answer will be deducted for each wrong response. Unattempted questions will carry zero marks. The questions will be of Bachelor's Degree standard, so a thorough understanding of your graduation syllabus is essential.

Personality Test / Interview: Candidates who achieve the minimum qualifying marks in the Written Examination, as determined by the Commission, will be shortlisted for the Personality Test. This stage carries 25 marks. The shortlisting will be done in a ratio of approximately 1:2 of the advertised vacancies per category, with a minimum of 5 candidates. The interview aims to assess your personality, communication skills, general awareness, and suitability for the position beyond academic knowledge.

Final Select List: The final merit list will be prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained by candidates in both the Written Examination and the Personality Test, out of a total of 225 marks. In case of a tie in the aggregate marks between two or more candidates, the candidate with higher marks in the Written Examination will be ranked higher. This ensures that academic performance in the core subject is given precedence in tie-breaking situations.

Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. The OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Written Examination is structured as follows:

Both Paper I and Paper II will be Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and will be evaluated using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets. Each correct answer will fetch 01 mark. It is very important to note the negative marking scheme: 25% of the marks awarded for a correct answer will be deducted for each wrong response. This means for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be subtracted. Questions that are not attempted will not carry any marks, positive or negative. The standard of questions will be equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree, so candidates should revise their graduation-level Horticulture syllabus thoroughly.

Salary

The salary structure for the Assistant Horticulture Officer post is attractive and follows the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017. Understanding the pay level and components is important for prospective candidates.

Pay Level Explained: Selected candidates will be placed at Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix as per the ORSP Rules, 2017. This corresponds to the pre-revised pay band of PB-2, which was Rs. 9,300–34,800, along with a Grade Pay of Rs. 4,600/-. This indicates a competitive salary package for a Group-B post in the state government.

In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will also be eligible for usual Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances as sanctioned by the Government of Odisha from time to time. These allowances contribute significantly to the total in-hand salary. While the posts are initially temporary, the official notification states they are "likely to continue," which is a common practice for many government recruitments.

Documents Required

When applying online, you will need to upload scanned copies of several documents. It is crucial to prepare these in advance and ensure they meet the specified format and size requirements. Having all documents ready will make the application process smoother and prevent last-minute errors.

• Recent Passport-sized Photograph: A clear, recent photograph as per the specifications mentioned in the online application portal.
• Signature: A scanned image of your signature.
• Identity Proof: A valid government-issued identity proof such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License.
• Educational Certificates:
  • High School Certificate (10th Class Mark Sheet/Certificate) for Date of Birth verification.
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture or Agriculture (Mark Sheets and Provisional/Final Degree Certificate).
• Odia Language Proficiency Proof: Certificate/Mark Sheet showing you meet the Odia language requirement (e.g., Middle School Certificate with Odia, Matriculation Certificate with Odia medium, Class-VII Odia pass certificate, or Odia test certificate).
• Category Certificate (if applicable): Valid caste certificate for SC/ST/SEBC candidates, PwD certificate for Persons with Disabilities, and Ex-Servicemen certificate for Ex-Servicemen. These must be issued by the competent authority.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC): If you are currently a government servant, you must have an NOC from your Head of Office.
• Bank Account Details: Your bank account number, IFSC Code, account holder name, and bank branch name for potential fee refunds.

Always ensure that the scanned documents are legible and adhere to the file size and format (e.g., JPG, PDF) specified in the online application instructions. Incorrect or unclear documents can lead to rejection of your application.