With just a handful of openings and a single-stage exam replacing the usual screening round, this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment cycle is unusually compact — but no less competitive. The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission has invited online applications for 4 vacancies in the A.P. Forest Service, and candidates from a wide spread of science and engineering backgrounds are eligible to apply. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject like Forestry, Botany, Environmental Science, or one of several engineering streams, this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment notification is worth a close read before the window closes on 5 November 2026.
Recruitment Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Notification No. | 16/2026, dated 15/09/2026 |
| Post Name | Forest Range Officer, A.P. Forest Service |
| Total Vacancies | 4 |
| Job Location | Andhra Pradesh |
| Application Mode | Online only, via psc.ap.gov.in |
| Job Type | State Government, Permanent |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 16/10/2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 05/11/2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Detailed Notification Release | On or before 16/10/2026 |
| Examination Mode | Online (CBRT), single-level — no separate Screening Test |
The Commission has stated that the date of the Detailed Notification is the crucial date for all eligibility purposes in this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment cycle, so don’t rely on the brief notification date if you’re borderline on age or qualification.
Vacancy Details
| Post | Vacancies | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Range Officer, A.P. Forest Service | 4 | 48,440–137,220 |
These 4 vacancies are provisional and subject to variation upon confirmation from the Forest Department, as stated in the notification. Small vacancy counts like this are typical for specialist technical posts, and this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment round is no exception — expect competition to be sharp given the limited seats.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment, you need a bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognised or Central/State/Provincial Act university in one of the following subjects: Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Applications/Computer Science, Engineering (Agriculture, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronics, or Mechanical), Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science, or Zoology.
The qualification must be held as on the date of the Detailed Notification, not the brief notification date. Physical requirements for this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment are detailed separately in the online Detailed Notification — given the fieldwork nature of the post, expect height, chest measurement, and fitness standards similar to other uniformed state services. Age Limit and Experience requirements are Not Mentioned in the brief notification and will be published with the Detailed Notification.
Salary & Benefits
The pay scale for this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment runs from ₹48,440 to ₹1,37,220, placing it among the more specialized technical cadres in Andhra Pradesh’s state service structure. What stands out here is the career trajectory: Forest Range Officers in AP oversee territorial ranges that combine wildlife protection, timber and NTFP management, and community forestry work, with a promotion path toward Deputy Conservator of Forests and beyond within the AP State Forest Service. For candidates from a forestry, environmental science, or wildlife biology background, this is one of the few state-level postings that lets your subject specialization directly shape your daily fieldwork rather than sitting behind a desk.
Application Fee
Application fee details for this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment have not been released yet.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | Not Mentioned (to be published with Detailed Notification) |
Selection Process
- Qualifying Test (General English & General Telugu): 100 marks total (50 each), SSC standard, and must be individually qualified. Prep tip: don’t neglect this stage just because it’s qualifying — failing either language paper disqualifies you regardless of your other scores.
- Paper-I: General Studies & Mental Ability: 150 marks covering current events, science, history, geography, and reasoning. Prep tip: focus specifically on Andhra Pradesh-related current affairs, since the syllabus repeatedly emphasizes state-specific content.
- Paper-II: Mathematics (SSC Standard): 150 marks covering arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, and statistics. Prep tip: this is school-level math, so revising SSC-standard textbooks is more useful than advanced degree-level material.
- Paper-III & Paper-IV: General Forestry I & II: 150 marks each, covering everything from silviculture and wildlife biology to forest law and remote sensing. Prep tip: this is the highest-weightage section of the whole exam at 300 out of 600 marks, so prioritize it heavily.
- Walking Test & Medical Examination: Conducted by the Forest Department for candidates shortlisted in a 1:3 ratio to vacancies.
- Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): A qualifying practical test in office automation, also for candidates shortlisted at 1:3 ratio.
Unlike many other APPSC recruitments, this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment skips a separate Screening Test entirely — the written exam is single-level, so there’s no preliminary cutoff to clear before the full syllabus is tested.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Visit the official APPSC website at psc.ap.gov.in once applications open on 16/10/2026.
- Search for Notification No. 16/2026 for Forest Range Officer and click on the online application link.
- Register on the portal with your basic personal details if this is your first application.
- Enter your educational qualification, subject stream, and personal details accurately in the form.
- Select your preferred exam center and confirm your eligibility category.
- Upload your photograph, signature, and any required documents in the prescribed format.
- Complete the fee payment once the amount is confirmed in the Detailed Notification.
- Review and submit your application well ahead of 05/11/2026, 11:59 PM, and save the confirmation for future reference.
Is This Job Right for You?
This AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment is a strong fit if you have a genuine background in forestry, environmental science, agriculture, or a related engineering field and want fieldwork-heavy, outdoor administrative work rather than a desk posting. It suits candidates comfortable with a demanding syllabus spanning general studies, SSC-level mathematics, and two full papers of specialized forestry content, plus a physical fitness component. It’s probably not the right fit if you’re looking for a purely academic or office-based state service role, since the walking test and medical examination are mandatory stages. One real prep tip: since General Forestry I and II together carry half the total written marks, build your study plan around those two papers first and treat General Studies and Mathematics as secondary, not the other way around.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026? The online application window closes on 05/11/2026 at 11:59 PM.
2. How many vacancies are available in this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment cycle? There are 4 provisional vacancies, subject to change upon confirmation from the Forest Department.
3. Is there a separate Screening Test for AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026? No. The Commission has confirmed this is a single-level online exam with no preliminary Screening Test, regardless of the number of applicants.
4. Which degree subjects are eligible for this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment? Fourteen subject streams qualify, including Forestry, Botany, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Geology, Zoology, and several engineering disciplines — see the eligibility section above for the full list.
5. Does AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026 include a physical fitness test? Yes, shortlisted candidates undergo a walking test and a medical examination conducted by the Forest Department in coordination with APPSC.
7. When will the Detailed Notification for this recruitment be released? The Detailed Notification, covering age limit, application fee, and community-wise vacancy breakup, will be published on psc.ap.gov.in on or before 16/10/2026.
8. Is age relaxation available for reserved categories in this recruitment? Age limit and relaxation details are not part of the brief notification and will be confirmed once the Detailed Notification for this AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment is released.
Conclusion
This AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment notification offers a rare, specialized entry point into Andhra Pradesh’s Forest Service for just 4 posts, with pay scaling up to ₹1,37,220. Candidates should start preparing the General Forestry syllabus now, since it carries the heaviest weightage in the exam, and keep checking psc.ap.gov.in for the Detailed Notification. For more openings suited to science and engineering graduates, browse our latest Graduate Jobs and State Government Jobs listings, and stay updated on further AP Forest Range Officer Recruitment announcements through the AP Forest Department website.
