The Odisha Public Service Commission has opened applications for 22 vacancies under the OPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 drive, inviting candidates with a B.Sc. in horticulture or agriculture to apply for the post of Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group B) under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment. The online application window is open from 28 July 2026 to 28 August 2026, and selection will be based on a written examination followed by an interview.
This guide covers everything you need to know about this OPSC Horticulture Officer notification — eligibility, salary, vacancy breakdown, selection process, and how to apply — in plain language.
Recruitment Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement No. | 06 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 22 (07-W) |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Type | State Government (temporary, likely to continue) |
| Official Website | https://opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 18 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 28 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination (Tentative) | 27 September 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The 22 posts under this OPSC Horticulture Officer drive are distributed across categories as follows:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 06 (02-W) |
| SEBC | 00 (00-W) |
| SC | 07 (02-W) |
| ST | 09 (03-W) |
| Total | 22 (07-W) |
Within this total, 1 post is reserved for Ex-Servicemen and 1 post for Persons with Disabilities (Category-I, Low Vision).
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture [B.Sc. (Horticulture)] or Agriculture [B.Sc. (Agriculture)] from a recognized university or institution. No other equivalent qualification is accepted for this OPSC Horticulture Officer post.
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years as on 1 January 2026 — meaning born between 2 January 1984 and 1 January 2005. Age relaxation is available: 5 years for SC/ST, Women, and Ex-Servicemen candidates, and 10 years for Persons with Disabilities with 40% or more permanent disability. PwD candidates belonging to SC/ST get a cumulative relaxation of 15 years.
Language Requirement: Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, demonstrated through a Middle School or equivalent Odia-language exam pass, or by clearing a prescribed Odia test.
Other Conditions: Candidates must be Indian citizens, medically fit, and must not have more than one living spouse unless exempted by the State Government.
Salary & Benefits
Selected candidates for this OPSC Horticulture Officer post will be placed at Level-10, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules 2017, corresponding to the pre-revised scale of PB-2 (₹9,300–34,800) with a Grade Pay of ₹4,600, along with Dearness Allowance and other allowances as applicable. Beyond the pay scale, this role offers a genuine entry point into Odisha’s agricultural administration — Assistant Horticulture Officers work directly on state horticulture schemes, giving early exposure to policy implementation that can support later movement into more senior technical or administrative roles within the department.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR/SEBC/Others | ₹700/- |
| SC/ST/PwD | Exempted |
The fee is payable online and is refunded only to candidates who appear in both papers of the written examination.
Selection Process
Written Examination (200 marks): Two papers of 100 marks each, both MCQ-based on horticulture subjects, with 25% negative marking for wrong answers. Since both papers test core horticulture and agriculture concepts at a bachelor’s degree standard, candidates preparing for this OPSC Horticulture Officer exam should prioritise revising crop-specific and soil-management topics alongside general agricultural economics.
Personality Test/Interview (25 marks): Shortlisted candidates from the written exam, in a ratio of roughly 1:2 of vacancies per category, will be called for an interview.
Final merit is based on combined marks out of 225.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Visit the official OPSC website at https://opsc.gov.in and locate the Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27 link
- Register with your basic details to generate login credentials
- Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and left-hand thumb impression as specified
- Attach required certificates, including your B.Sc. degree, mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), and Odia test pass proof
- Pay the applicable examination fee online, if not exempted
- Review the submitted application carefully before final submission, since corrections require cancelling and reapplying within the window
- Download and retain a printout of the final submitted form along with your PPSAN for future reference
Is This Job Right for You?
This OPSC Horticulture Officer role suits candidates with a genuine academic and practical interest in horticulture or agricultural sciences who want a stable state government career with direct field involvement. It’s a strong fit if you’re comfortable with Odia language requirements and don’t mind starting in a Group-B technical role rather than a fast-tracked administrative one. Candidates without a B.Sc. in horticulture or agriculture should not apply, since no equivalent qualification is accepted. A useful prep tip: since both papers draw from a bachelor’s-level horticulture syllabus, revising your own degree coursework systematically will cover most of the exam scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for OPSC Horticulture Officer 2026?
The online application window closes on 28 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
How many vacancies are there in this OPSC Horticulture Officer recruitment?
There are 22 vacancies (07-W) across UR, SC, and ST categories.
Is there an interview after the written exam?
Yes, shortlisted candidates from the written examination will appear for a personality test worth 25 marks.
What is the qualification required for this post?
A B.Sc. in Horticulture or Agriculture from a recognized university is mandatory; no equivalent qualification is accepted.
Is there negative marking in the OPSC horticulture officer exam?
Yes, 25% of the marks for a correct answer are deducted for each wrong response.
Conclusion
The OPSC Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 offers 22 stable Group B positions for candidates with a horticulture or agriculture degree, with applications open until 28 August 2026. Given the structured written exam and interview process, early preparation focused on your degree syllabus will be key. For complete details and to apply, visit the official OPSC website at https://opsc.gov.in. You may also find our [State Government Jobs] [Latest Govt Jobs] section useful for similar upcoming opportunities.
