APPSC Forest Section Officer Recruitment 2026 (26 Posts)

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Job summary

StudyBizz Forest Jobs Hub reports on the APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 recruitment. The role involves leadership of FBOs and ABOs, armed patrolling, timber transit checks, boundary consolidation, and eco-tourism management within the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.

The selection process includes a CBRT written test, a walking test, physical standards checks, and medical examination. Detailed eligibility covers science and engineering graduates with relevant disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Engineering from a recognized university.
• Eligible science disciplines listed include Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Statistics, Veterinary Science.
• Engineering graduates (B.E./B.Tech) in Chemical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering are eligible.

Responsibilities

• Lead platoons of Forest Beat Officers (FBOs) and Assistant Beat Officers (ABOs).
• Execute armed patrolling, timber transit checking, boundary consolidation, and eco-tourism management.
• Oversee the Forest Subordinate Service under the Forest Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Engineering (B.S./B.E./B.Tech)

Eligible disciplines: Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Statistics, Veterinary Science

Engineering graduates in Chemical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026: Key Highlights

The APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 offers an adventurous uniformed career in biodiversity preservation, wildlife protection, and forestry administration in Andhra Pradesh. Forest Section Officers lead platoons of Forest Beat Officers (FBOs) and Assistant Beat Officers (ABOs), executing armed patrolling, timber transit checking, boundary consolidation, and eco-tourism management.

Recruiting Body Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC)

Department Forest Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh

Notification Number Notification No. 17/2026 (Dated: 16/10/2026)

Post Designation Forest Section Officer (FSO)

Service Cadre A.P. Forest Subordinate Service (Uniformed Executive)

Total Vacancies 26 Posts (Territorial Forest Circles)

Pay Scale ₹34,580 – ₹1,07,210 (RPS Pay Matrix)

Selection Mode CBRT Written Test (300 Marks) ➔ Walking Test & Physical Standards ➔ Medical Test

Official Website portal-psc.ap.gov.in

Career Alerts Desk StudyBizz Forest Jobs Hub

Important Registration Schedule & Online Dates

Candidates must adhere strictly to the recruitment calendar published under APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026:

• Detailed Notification Release Date: 16th October 2026
• Commencement of Online Applications: 20th October 2026
• Last Date for Online Application Submission: 10th November 2026 (Up to 11:59 PM)
• Last Date for Online Fee Payment: 10th November 2026 (Up to 11:59 PM)
• Online Application Edit Window: 12th November to 14th November 2026
• Hall Ticket / Admit Card Release: 7 days prior to examination
• Computer Based Written Examination (CBRT): January 2027
• Walking Test & Physical Measurements: February 2027

Zonal & Circle-Wise Vacancy Breakdown (26 Posts)

Forest Territorial Circle / Zone Covered Forest Divisions Vacancies

Zone I & II (Northern Coastal Circles) Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Eluru
12

Zone III & IV (Central & Rayalaseema Circles) Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Ananthapuramu
14

Total Vacancies State Forest Subordinate Service
26 Posts

Educational Qualification & Science Degree Streams

Under the statutory special rules of the A.P. Forest Subordinate Service, applicants for APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Engineering from a recognized university:

• Eligible Science Disciplines: Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree with any one of the following subjects:
  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • Forestry
  • Agriculture
  • Horticulture
  • Geology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics / Statistics
  • Veterinary Science
• Engineering Graduates: Candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) in Chemical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University / AICTE institution are also fully eligible.

Physical Measurement Standards & Mandatory Walking Test

Category Minimum Height Chest (Unexpanded) Chest Expansion

Male Candidates (General / BC / SC) 163 cm 84 cm Minimum 5 cm expansion

Male Candidates (ST & Scheduled Tribes) 158 cm 84 cm Minimum 5 cm expansion

Female Candidates (General / BC / SC) 150 cm 79 cm Minimum 5 cm expansion

Female Candidates (ST & Scheduled Tribes) 145 cm 79 cm Minimum 5 cm expansion

Mandatory Walking Endurance Test (Qualifying)

• Male Candidates: Must cover a distance of 25 Kilometers in 4 Hours on foot.
• Female Candidates: Must cover a distance of 16 Kilometers in 4 Hours on foot.
• Visual Acuity Standards: Distance vision must be 6/6 in one eye and 6/6 in the other (or 6/9 with glasses). Total freedom from color blindness, night blindness, and squint.

Age Limit Criteria & State Government Relaxations

• Minimum Age Limit: 18 Years (Born on or before 01/07/2008)
• Maximum Age Limit (OC / General): 30 Years (Born between 02/07/1996 and 01/07/2008)
• BC / SC / ST / EWS Candidates: Upper age relaxation of 5 Years (Eligible up to 35 Years)
• Ex-Servicemen: 3 Years relaxation in addition to length of military service rendered
• AP State Government Employees: Up to 5 Years based on the length of regular state service

Application Fee & Payment Guidelines

• Application Processing Fee: ₹250/- (Payable by all candidates).
• Examination Fee: ₹80/- (Exempted for SC, ST, BC, and Ex-Servicemen).
• Payment Channels: Online payment via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI on portal-psc.ap.gov.in .

Selection Process & Examination Pattern (CBRT – 300 Marks)

The selection under APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 comprises an objective Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) followed by physical tests and medical examination:

Paper Subject & Standard Questions Marks Duration

Paper-I General Studies & Mental Ability (Degree Standard) 150 MCQs 150 150 Minutes

Paper-II General Science & Mathematics (SSC Standard / Forestry Concepts) 150 MCQs 150 150 Minutes

Total Comprehensive Written Test 300 MCQs 300 Marks 5 Hours

Negative Marking Penalty: For each wrong answer, 1/3rd (0.33 mark) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

Subject-Wise Written Exam Syllabus (Science & Maths)

The curriculum emphasizes state general studies alongside fundamental science, botany, ecology, and secondary mathematics:

Paper-I: General Studies & Mental Ability

• Events of national and international importance with focus on Andhra Pradesh developments.
• General Science – Contemporary developments in Science and Technology and their day-to-day applications.
• History of India – Emphasis on Andhra Pradesh socio-cultural history and national freedom struggle.
• Indian Geography – Physical, social, and economic geography of India and Andhra Pradesh forest reserves.
• Indian Polity and Governance – Constitutional mechanisms, local governance, and public administration.
• Economic development of Andhra Pradesh post-bifurcation, budget priorities, and welfare policies.
• Disaster Management – Vulnerability profiles, forest fire mitigation strategies, and cyclone rescue operations.
• Logical reasoning, analytical ability, and basic quantitative data interpretation.

Paper-II: General Science & Mathematics (Core Forestry & Science)

• General Science (Physics & Chemistry): Units and measurements; Motion, laws of gravitation, work, power, and energy; Heat and thermodynamics basics; Reflection, refraction, and optical instruments; Structure of atom; Chemical bonding, acids, bases, and salts; Metals and non-metals; Carbon and its compounds; Environmental pollution (Air, water, and soil chemistry).
• Biological Sciences (Botany & Zoology): Plant morphology, plant physiology (Photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration); Plant reproduction and classification; Plant anatomy and cellular biology; Human organ systems; Biodiversity, ecosystem food webs, forest biomes of Andhra Pradesh (Eastern Ghats, mangrove ecosystems of Coringa); Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Endangered flora and fauna (Red Sanders, tiger, Indian leopard, pangolin).
• Mathematics (SSC Standard): Arithmetic – Number systems, ratio and proportion, percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest; Algebra – Linear equations, polynomials; Geometry – Triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, theorems; Mensuration – Surface area and volume of cubes, cylinders, cones, and spheres; Statistics – Mean, median, mode, and graphical representation of data.

Revised Pay Scale, Uniform Allowances & Field Perks

Pay Scale Band ₹34,580 – ₹1,07,210 (RPS Pay Matrix)

Initial Basic Pay ₹34,580 / month

Dearness Allowance (DA) As sanctioned by AP State Govt

House Rent Allowance (HRA) 16% to 24% depending on forest division headquarters

Special Field Allowances Uniform Allowance, Kit Maintenance, Hardship / Agency Area Allowance Estimated Initial Gross Salary ₹48,000 – ₹54,000 / month

Promotion Ladder: Forest Section Officer (FSO) ➔ Forest Range Officer (FRO) ➔ Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) ➔ Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF / DFO) ➔ Indian Forest Service (IFS) Cadre Induction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the last date to apply for APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026?
A: The online application portal closes on 10th November 2026 at 11:59 PM on portal-psc.ap.gov.in .

Q2: What is the educational qualification required for Forest Section Officer?
A: Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, or a B.E. / B.Tech in Chemical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering.

Q3: What are the walking test requirements for FSO?
A: Male candidates must complete a 25 Kilometer walk in 4 hours, while female candidates must complete a 16 Kilometer walk in 4 hours.

Q4: What is the age limit for general category candidates?
A: The age limit is 18 to 30 years as of 01/07/2026, with an upper age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/BC/EWS candidates (up to 35 years).

Q5: What is the salary of a Forest Section Officer in Andhra Pradesh?
A: The post carries a Revised Pay Scale of ₹34,580 – ₹1,07,210, yielding an initial gross monthly salary of approximately ₹48,000 – ₹54,000 including DA and HRA.

Stay tuned to StudyBizz.com for real-time APPSC FSO exam dates, walking test schedules, syllabus notes, and final selection list notifications.