The OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 has been officially released on the official website for 22 vacancies. Candidates can apply for the recruitment from 28 July to 28 August 2026. Check the eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, application dates and online registration link in this article.
OPSC AHO recruitment 2026 official notification has been officially released under Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27 by the Odisha Public Service Commission. This recruitment drive aims to select qualified graduates for 22 vacancies of Assistant Horticulture Officer (Class II of Group-B Services of Odisha Horticulture Service) under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment. The online application link will remain active on the commission’s official portal from July 28, 2026, to August 28, 2026. Interested candidates possessing a relevant bachelor’s degree must complete their registration before the closing date.
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OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Recruitment Authority | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement Number | Advt. No. 06 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 22 Posts (Women: 07) |
| Department | Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment |
| Online Application Starts | July 28, 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | August 28, 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Tentative Written Exam Date | September 27, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Salary Scale | Pay Matrix Level-10 (₹9,300 – ₹34,800 + GP ₹4,600) |
| Selection Mode | Written MCQ Exam (200 Marks) & Personality Test (25 Marks) |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
OPSC AHO Vacancy 2026: Category-Wise Breakdown
| Category | Vacancy Positions | Reserved for Women |
| Unreserved (UR) | 06 | 02 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 07 | 02 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 09 | 03 |
| Socially & Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) | 00 | 00 |
| Grand Total | 22 | 07 |
OPSC AHO Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications
- Educational Credentials: Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Ag.)] from any University or Institution recognized by any State Government or the Government of India.
- Odia Language Rule: The candidate must be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking the local Odia language.
- Citizenship: The applicant must be an active citizen of India.
Age Limit (As on January 1, 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 42 Years
- Note: Applicants must have been born between January 2, 1984, and January 1, 2005 (both dates inclusive).
Upper Age Relaxation Rules:
Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories under state government norms:
| Category | Age Relaxation Allowed |
| SC / ST / SEBC Candidates | 5 Years |
| Women Candidates (All Categories) | 5 Years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 Years |
Examination Fee & Refund Policy
- Fee Amount: ₹700/- (Rupees Seven Hundred Only).
- Exempted Categories: SC, ST, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) are fully exempted.
- Refund Policy: The examination fees paid shall be refunded only to those candidates who actually appear in both the papers of the Written Examination. Refunds are processed back to the original payment mode.
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OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Written Exam Pattern
The written exam features a single paper of 200 questions with a total duration of 3 hours:
- Total Questions: 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Total Marks: 200 Marks.
- Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 25% (0.25 marks) for every incorrect answer.
- Interview Weightage: Candidates shortlisted in the written examination will be called for the Interview carrying 25 marks.
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Syllabus Breakdown
The written test covers specific core topics of Horticulture and Allied Subjects:
1. Main Subject Areas (20 Marks Each | Total 120 Marks)
- Plant Propagation and Nursery Management: Sexual & asexual propagation, nurseries infrastructure, budding, grafting, and layering techniques.
- Fruit Crops: Production technology of tropical, subtropical, and temperate fruits (Mango, Citrus, Banana, Guava, Apple, etc.).
- Plantation Crops: Cultivation practices of Coconut, Arecanut, Cashew, Tea, Coffee, and Rubber.
- Vegetable Crops: Production technology of warm-season and cool-season vegetables (Solanaceous, Cole crops, Cucurbits, Root crops).
- Spices, Condiments, & Medicinal Plants: Cultivation of Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Ashwagandha, and Aloe Vera.
- Ornamental Horticulture: Landscaping principles, commercial floriculture (Rose, Gerbera, Marigold), and post-harvest handling of flowers.
2. Related Subjects (5 Marks Each | Total 50 Marks)
- Agro-Meteorology (5 Marks)
- Soil and Nutrition (5 Marks)
- Water Management (5 Marks)
- Weed Management (5 Marks)
- Dry-land Farming (5 Marks)
- Integrated Farming System (5 Marks)
- Seed Technology (5 Marks)
- Economics (5 Marks)
- Statistics (5 Marks)
- Plant Protection (5 Marks)
3. Allied Electives (30 Marks)
- Various advanced principles of horticulture and agricultural engineering practices.
Step-by-Step OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Online Application Guide
- Open your web browser and visit the official website of OPSC at www.opsc.gov.in.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link displayed on the main menu.
- Click on the “New Registration” tab under the Advt. No. 06 of 2026-27 and input your registered details.
- Verify the OTPs received to generate your unique User ID and password.
- Log in using your credentials and fill out your personal, academic, and reservation details.
- Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and educational certificates as per the specified dimensions.
- Complete the payment of ₹700 online (if applicable to your category).
- Review your form entries, submit the online application, and print the confirmation page for your records.
OPSC AHO Recruitment Important Links
| Resource Portal | Official Web Link |
| Direct Application Registration Link | OPSC Apply Online Portal |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Official OPSC AHO Notification (PDF) |
| Official OPSC Homepage | opsc.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the last date to apply for OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026?
The online application process begins on July 28, 2026, and the final deadline to submit the online form is August 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
How many vacancies are available in this OPSC AHO recruitment?
There are a total of 22 regular vacancies available for the post of Assistant Horticulture Officer in Group-B services under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment.
What is the educational qualification required for the OPSC AHO post?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Ag.)] from any University recognized by any State Government or the Government of India.
What is the scale of pay for selected candidates?
Selected candidates will receive salary in the Pay Matrix Level-10 ranging from ₹9,300 to ₹34,800 + GP ₹4,600 per month under ORSP Rules.
What is the age limit for general category candidates?
Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age as of January 1, 2026. Age relaxations apply to SC, ST, SEBC, and female candidates.
Is there any negative marking in the OPSC AHO written test?
Yes. There is a negative marking of 25% (0.25 marks) for every incorrect answer in the written examination (CBT).
What are the subjects covered in the written examination?
The CBT covers subjects like Plant propagation and nursery management, Fruit crops, Plantation crops, Vegetable Crops, Spices, Condiments, Medicinal plants, Ornamental Horticulture, and other related subjects.
How can I download the official syllabus PDF?
You can access and download the detailed subject-wise syllabus from the official advertisement published on the main portal of OPSC at www.opsc.gov.in.