OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026: 22 Posts
📅 Posted: 18/07/2026 📝 Updated: 20/07/2026
Total Vacancy22
SalaryLevel-10 Pay Matrix (Pre-revised PB-2 ₹9,300-34,800 + Grade Pay ₹4,600) [Approx. ₹35,000-₹40,000/Month with DA]
LocationOdisha
Last Date28/08/2026
Short Information: The Odisha Public Service Commission has invited applications for 22 Assistant Horticulture Officer posts in Class-II (Group-B) of the Odisha Horticulture Service, under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment. This is a regular state government post at Level-10 of the Pay Matrix (pre-revised PB-2 ₹9,300-34,800 with Grade Pay ₹4,600), plus usual Dearness Allowance and other allowances the state government sanctions from time to time. If you hold a B.Sc in Horticulture or Agriculture, this is worth applying for since OPSC accepts no other equivalent qualification for this post, which narrows the competition to candidates from a specific academic background. Out of the 22 posts, 6 are Unreserved, 7 are for SC, and 9 are for ST candidates, with 1 post additionally reserved for Ex-Servicemen and 1 for Persons with Disabilities under the Low Vision category. Online registration opens on 28 July 2026 and closes on 28 August 2026 at 5:00 PM. Selection runs through a Written Examination of 200 marks across two MCQ papers covering horticulture subjects at Bachelor's Degree standard, followed by a Personality Test worth 25 marks, with the exam tentatively scheduled for 27 September 2026 at centers in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
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OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026 2026Important Dates
| Notification Released | 18/07/2026 |
| Online Application & Fee Payment Begin | 28/07/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee | 28/08/2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Written Examination | 27/09/2026 (Tentative, Sunday) |
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026 2026Application Fee
| UR / SEBC | ₹700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹0 |
Payment: Online (Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking/Wallet)
OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026: 22 PostsVacancy Details & Age Limit
Age Limit: 21 to 42 Years (as on 01/01/2026); candidate must not be born earlier than 02/01/1984 and not later than 01/01/2005
(SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen: 5 Years, Persons with Disabilities (40% or more permanent disability): 10 Years, Persons with Disabilities belonging to SC/ST: Cumulative 15 Years)
| Post Name | Total Post | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | 22 |
|
| Total Vacancy | 22 | |
| Note: No other equivalent qualification except Degree in Horticulture or Agriculture will be accepted. | ||
Recruitment Table: Category Wise Vacancy
| Category | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 06 (02-W) |
| SEBC | 00 (00-W) |
| SC | 07 (02-W) |
| ST | 09 (03-W) |
| Total | 22 |
| Note:Figures in brackets indicate the number of posts reserved for Women within each category. | |
Recruitment Table: Horizontal Reservation (Ex-Servicemen / PwD)
| Category | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen | 1 |
| Person with Disabilities (Cat-I, Low Vision) | 1 |
| Note:Candidates belonging to Ex-Servicemen and PwD categories shall be adjusted against the categories to which they belong; these are a subset of the total 22 posts, not additive. | |
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026Eligibility Criteria
- Candidate 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.
- No other equivalent qualification except Degree in Horticulture or Agriculture will be accepted.
- Candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Candidate must be able to read, write and speak Odia, and must have passed a Middle School/Matriculation examination with Odia as a language subject/medium, or an equivalent Odia proficiency test.
- Candidate must be of sound mental and physical health, free from any physical defect likely to affect efficiency in service.
- Candidates with more than one living spouse are not eligible unless exempted by the State Government.
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026Pay Scale / Salary Structure
| Post Name | Salary Level |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | Level-10 (Pre-revised PB-2 ₹9,300-34,800 + Grade Pay ₹4,600) |
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026Selection Process Steps
- Written Examination (MCQ Pattern, 2 Papers, 200 Marks)
- Personality Test / Interview (25 Marks)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination by Medical Board
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026Detailed Exam Pattern
Recruitment Details: Exam Overview
- Mode: Offline, Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with OMR Evaluation, across 2 Papers of 100 marks each.
- Negative Marking: 25% marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Un-attempted questions carry zero mark.
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
- Both Papers will be of Horticulture subjects; questions will be of Bachelor's Degree standard.
- Personality Test/Interview: 25 Marks; shortlisting for interview is in the ratio of about 1:2 of advertised vacancies for different categories, subject to a minimum of 5.
Recruitment Table: Written Examination Plan
| Paper | Full Marks | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper - I | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper - II | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
Recruitment Info: Odia Language Test Requirement
- Candidate must be able to read, write and speak Odia, satisfied by any one of: passing Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject; passing Matriculation or equivalent with Odia as medium in a non-language subject; passing Odia as a language subject in Class-VII final examination; or passing a Middle English School standard Odia test conducted by the School & Mass Education Department, Government of Odisha.
- This requirement must be fulfilled and evidenced by the closing date for submission of the registered online application; failure to furnish proof by this date is a specific ground for rejection under Para-12(d) of the advertisement.
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026Subject-wise Syllabus Topics
The written examination will be of Bachelor's Degree standard, covering two papers of Horticulture-related subjects as detailed below (Appendix-A of the official notification). Distribution of questions amongst topics in both papers is decided by the Commission.
📚 Paper-I (100 Marks, 100 Questions, 2 Hours)
- Agro meteorology: Agro climate zones, agro-ecology, weather-crop relationship, climate change and climate-smart practices
- Soil and nutrition: Soils of Odisha, problematic soils, manures and fertilizers, integrated nutrient management
- Water management: Irrigation development, soil-plant-water relations, micro-irrigation, fertigation, drainage
- Weed management: Weed classification, crop-weed association, herbicides and integrated weed management
- Dry land farming: Rainfed horticulture, drought management, soil moisture conservation, watershed management
- Integrated Farming System: Horticulture-based farming system models
- Seed Technology: Seed quality, dormancy, production, certification and storage
- Plant Protection: Insect pests, diseases, nematodes, biological control and Integrated Pest Management
- Agril. Economics: Cost of cultivation, entrepreneurship, agri-business management, marketing, FPO/CBBO
- Agril. Statistics: Statistical principles, data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation
- Related Subjects: Tillage, farm machinery, crop growth, PGRs, cropping patterns, organic farming, protected cultivation, apiculture, mushroom cultivation, composting, vermicompost, digital initiatives
📚 Paper-II (100 Marks, 100 Questions, 2 Hours)
- Plant propagation and nursery management: Propagation methods, nursery act/registration/accreditation, hi-tech nurseries
- Fruit crops: Commercial fruit crops (Mango, Banana, Citrus, Pineapple, Guava, Papaya, Sapota, Ber, Pomegranate, Litchi, Custard apple), niche crops, exotic crops
- Plantation crops: Coconut, Areca nut, Cashew nut, Oil palm, Palmyra palm, Date palm, Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
- Vegetable crops: Solanaceous, cucurbits, pod vegetables, okra, cole crops, bulb crops, root crops, leafy vegetables, tuber crops
- Spices, Condiments, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Betel vine, Black pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric, Coriander, Fenugreek, Aloe vera, Lemon grass, etc.
- Ornamental Horticulture: Garden types and landscaping, ornamental trees/climbers/house plants, commercial flower crops (Rose, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Orchid, Carnation), protected cultivation, lawn maintenance
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026How to Apply
- Visit the official website of OPSC at https://opsc.gov.in and carefully read the detailed advertisement.
- Apply online through the OPSC portal only; applications through any other mode will not be accepted.
- Register and fill the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload scanned photograph, full signature, and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI), along with all required certificates/documents.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online (not required for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- On successful submission, note the Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN) assigned to you.
- Take a printout of the finally submitted Registration and Application form for future reference and document verification.
Recruitment Note: About Odisha Public Service Commission
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), headquartered at Dr. P.K. Parija Road, Cuttack, is the constitutional body responsible for recruitment to Group-A and Group-B civil services and posts under the Government of Odisha. It conducts competitive examinations and interviews for various state departments, including this recruitment for the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, and administers selection strictly under the Odisha Conduct of Examination Act, 1988.
Recruitment Note: Job Profile — Assistant Horticulture Officer
Selected candidates will be appointed to Class-II (Group-B) of the Odisha Horticulture Service under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, working on horticultural development activities across the state such as fruit, vegetable, plantation, spice, and ornamental crop promotion, extension work, and implementation of horticulture-related schemes at the field or divisional level.
Recruitment Note: Benefits & Service Conditions
Selected candidates will draw the prescribed Level-10 pay along with usual Dearness Allowance and other allowances sanctioned by the Government of Odisha from time to time. Submission of an NPS application is mandatory at the time of joining, as all persons appointed under the Government of Odisha on or after 1 January 2005 are covered by the Contributory Pension Scheme rather than the earlier pension rules.
OPSC Horticulture Officer Online Form 2026Important Official Links
| Apply Online Application Window: 28/07/2026 to 28/08/2026 (05:00 PM) | Click Here ↗ |
| Download Notification Advt No. 06 of 2026-27 | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
Disclaimer Information provided here is for quick reference. Verify all details on the official website before taking action.
Quick Overview
🚀 Recruitment Overview
Quick Summary of the Notification
| Organization |  OPSC |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer |
| Total Vacancy | 22 |
| Salary | Level-10 Pay Matrix (Pre-revised PB-2 ₹9,300-34,800 + Grade Pay ₹4,600) [Approx. ₹35,000-₹40,000/Month with DA] |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 28/08/2026 |
| Official Website | Visit Website ↗ |
💡 Expert Tip
Don't overlook the mandatory Odia language requirement buried in the eligibility conditions — you need to have passed Middle School with Odia as a subject, or Matriculation with Odia as the medium, or a specific Odia test conducted by the state, and this proof must be furnished by the closing date itself, not later. Candidates from outside Odisha frequently miss this and get rejected at document verification. Also, the written exam carries a real penalty for guessing: 25% of the marks are deducted for every wrong answer, so leave a question blank rather than guess unless you can eliminate at least two of the four options. If you're claiming a grade-based marksheet instead of a percentage one, get your university's conversion certificate ready in advance, since applications without it are liable to rejection.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What is the in-hand salary for Assistant Horticulture Officer? ▼
Ans: The post falls under Level-10 of the Pay Matrix (pre-revised PB-2 ₹9,300-34,800 with Grade Pay ₹4,600). After adding Dearness Allowance and other state government allowances, the approximate starting in-hand salary works out to around ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month.
Q.2 What is the last date to apply online for OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026? ▼
Ans: The online application link is available from 28 July 2026, and the last date to submit the registered online application along with the examination fee is 28 August 2026 up to 5:00 PM. Candidates are advised to apply well in advance to avoid last-hour rush.
Q.3 Is there any negative marking in the exam? ▼
Ans: Yes, 25% of the marks awarded for correct answers is deducted for each wrong response in both Paper-I and Paper-II. Un-attempted questions are awarded zero marks, so candidates should attempt only those questions they are reasonably confident about.
Q.4 What is the age limit for Assistant Horticulture Officer? ▼
Ans: Candidates must have attained 21 years and must not be above 42 years as on 1 January 2026, meaning they must be born between 2 January 1984 and 1 January 2005. Age relaxation of 5 years applies to SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen, and up to 15 years cumulatively for PwD candidates from SC/ST categories.
Q.5 How to download the OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer Notification PDF? ▼
Ans: The detailed advertisement (Advt No. 06 of 2026-27, No.4200/PSC dated 18/07/2026) is available for download on the official OPSC website at https://opsc.gov.in, where candidates should read it thoroughly before applying online.
Q.6 What is the educational qualification required for Assistant Horticulture Officer? ▼
Ans: Candidates must hold 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. No other equivalent qualification will be accepted for this post.
Q.7 What is the selection process for Assistant Horticulture Officer? ▼
Ans: Selection is based on a competitive Written Examination of 200 marks (two MCQ papers of 100 marks each) followed by a Personality Test/Interview of 25 marks for shortlisted candidates, making a total of 225 marks for the final merit-based Select List.
Q.8 Is the Odia language test mandatory for this post? ▼
Ans: Yes, candidates must be able to read, write and speak Odia and must furnish proof of having passed Middle School/Matriculation with Odia, or a specific Odia proficiency test, by the closing date of the online application. This is a mandatory eligibility condition, not just a preference.
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