Agriculture Department Recruitment 2026: Official Notification, Exam Dates & Online Form

Organization: Department of Agriculture (Central & State Cadres)

Recruitment Year: 2026

Status: Notification Released / Application Window Opening Soon

The Department of Agriculture is initiating its recruitment drive for the year 2026. With a focus on modernizing farming techniques and strengthening extension services, a significant number of vacancies are opening up for Agriculture Development Officers (ADO), Block Agriculture Officers, and Field Assistants. This article covers the official details regarding eligibility, salary, and the application timeline.

1. Recruitment Overview

Detailed highlights of the 2026 notification.

2. Job Profiles & Vacancy Breakdown

The 2026 recruitment is categorized into Administrative, Technical, and Field roles.

Group A & B (Officer Level)

• Agriculture Development Officer (ADO): Responsible for implementing state schemes at the subdivision level.
• Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA): Administrative oversight and policy implementation.
• Soil Conservation Officer: Specialized role for soil health management.

Group C (Field & Technical)

• Block Agriculture Officer (BAO): The primary link between farmers and the administration at the block level.
• Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO): Fieldwork focused on educating farmers about new technologies.
• Laboratory Assistant: Soil and seed testing labs.

3. Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements calculated as of January 1, 2026.

A. Educational Qualification

B. Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 21 Years (For Officers), 18 Years (For Assistants).
• Maximum Age:
  • General: 37 Years
  • OBC/BC: 40 Years
  • SC/ST: 42 Years
• Note: Age relaxation is applicable as per government norms.

4. Salary & Pay Scale (2026 Structure)

Remuneration follows the 7th Pay Commission matrix, with expected Dearness Allowance (DA) hikes for 2026.

• Group A (ADA/Research): Level 10 ($$₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500$$) + Grade Pay.
• Group B (ADO/BAO): Level 6/7 ($$₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400$$).
  • Gross Salary typically starts around ₹55,000/month.
• Group C (Field Staff): Level 3/4 ($$₹21,700 – ₹69,100$$).

5. Selection Process

The 2026 recruitment will likely follow a three-tier system to ensure transparency.

1. Preliminary Exam: Screening test focusing on General Studies and Basic Agriculture.
2. Mains Examination: Subject-specific papers (Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, etc.).
3. Interview/Personality Test: For Group A & B posts only.
4. Merit List: Based on marks obtained in Mains + Interview.

Important Note: For Group C posts (Field Assistants), selection is often based on a single written exam followed by document verification.

6. Important Dates (2026 Cycle)

Mark your calendar for these tentative dates based on the current notification window.

• Official Notification PDF Release: December 15, 2025
• Online Application Begins: December 20, 2025
• Closing Date for Fee Payment: January 20, 2026
• Admit Card Release: March 2026
• Tentative Exam Date: April 2026

7. How to Apply Online

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official recruitment portal (e.g., State PSC or Central Dept site).
2. One-Time Registration (OTR): If you haven’t registered in 2025, create a new profile.
3. Login: Use your credentials to access the “Agriculture Recruitment 2026” dashboard.
4. Upload Documents: Scanned copies of B.Sc Agri degree, Caste Certificate (if applicable), and photo.
5. Fee Payment:
   • General/OBC: ₹500 – ₹750
   • SC/ST/PwD: ₹200 (Processing charge only)
6. Print Application: Save the PDF of the final submitted form.

Disclaimer / Note – All information in this post is for immediate help to candidates and is taken from websites. Please always check the official notification and website before applying. We are not responsible for any error or changes in the information.