Published By: StudyBizz Career Desk | Official Source: APPSC (portal-psc.ap.gov.in) / psc.ap.gov.in
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission has officially published the APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 notification under Advertisement No. 17/2026 for 26 executive vacancies of Forest Section Officer (FSO) in the A.P. Forest Subordinate Service. Serving as the primary field executive officers of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Forest Section Officers oversee territorial forest beats, wildlife sanctuaries, anti-smuggling task forces (notably red sanders conservation in Seshachalam biosphere), and social forestry nurseries. Candidates possessing a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics) or an Engineering Degree can submit their online applications via the official portal portal-psc.ap.gov.in. Bookmark this comprehensive notification dossier on StudyBizz.com for real-time exam schedules, walking endurance test guidelines, general science and forestry syllabus breakdowns, and official hall ticket releases.
📑 Quick Navigation:
- APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026: Key Highlights
- Important Registration Schedule & Online Dates
- Zonal & Circle-Wise Vacancy Breakdown (26 Posts)
- Educational Qualification & Science Degree Streams
- Physical Measurement Standards & Mandatory Walking Test
- Age Limit Criteria & State Government Relaxations
- Application Fee & Payment Guidelines
- Selection Process & Examination Pattern (CBRT – 300 Marks)
- Subject-Wise Written Exam Syllabus (Science & Maths)
- Revised Pay Scale, Uniform Allowances & Field Perks
- Step-by-Step Online Application Guide (OTPR & Submission)
- Official Notification Downloads & High-CTR Action Links
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
📌 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)
The 26 vacancies for Forest Section Officer are allocated across the territorial circles of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department:
| 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
Because the Forest Section Officer is an executive uniformed field post, candidates must clear strict physical standards and an endurance 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
In accordance with statutory forest department uniformed service orders, age is calculated as of 01st July 2026:
- 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
Candidates must remit the prescribed fees online through the APPSC payment gateway:
- 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
Appointed Forest Section Officers draw salary under the Revised Pay Scales (RPS) of the Government of Andhra Pradesh with executive field benefits:
| Pay Component | Entitlement Details |
|---|---|
| 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.
💻 Step-by-Step Online Application Guide (OTPR & Submission)
Follow these instructions to submit your application on portal-psc.ap.gov.in before the deadline:
- Step 1: One Time Profile Registration (OTPR): Visit portal-psc.ap.gov.in. New applicants must click “OTPR” and enter personal, educational, and demographic credentials. Existing registered users can log in directly using their APPSC OTPR User ID and password.
- Step 2: Select Notification: Under “Online Application Submission”, select Notification No. 17/2026 for Forest Section Officer in A.P. Forest Subordinate Service.
- Step 3: Academic & Science Degree Verification: Enter your B.Sc Science Degree / B.Tech Engineering branch, college name, marks percentage, and university details.
- Step 4: Upload Photo & Signature: Upload your passport photograph and signature strictly as per APPSC specifications (Photo: <50 KB, Signature: <30 KB in JPG/JPEG format).
- Step 5: Fee Payment: Pay the statutory fee online using Net Banking, UPI, or Debit Card. Keep a copy of the payment reference ID.
- Step 6: Final Submit & Print: Review all entered data thoroughly and click “Final Submit”. Download and print the generated PDF application form for certificate verification records.
🔗 Official Notification Downloads & High-CTR Action Links
Direct official portal access and notification download links are provided below:
❓ 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.
