APPSC Forest Section Officer Notification 2026 – Rs.1,01,970 Salary, Apply Now

APPSC Forest Section Officer Notification 2026 is officially out — the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission released Brief Notification No. 17/2026 on 15 September 2026, inviting applications for 26 Forest Section Officer (FSO) posts in the A.P. Forest Subordinate Service. This guide is for graduates in Botany, Forestry, Zoology, Agriculture, Engineering, and related disciplines aged 18–30 who are seeking a government job in Andhra Pradesh’s forest sector. This complete guide covers vacancies, pay scale, eligibility, exam pattern, how to apply, important dates, and everything else you need before submitting your application.

📋 Table of Contents

What Is the APPSC Forest Section Officer Recruitment 2026?

The APPSC Forest Section Officer Recruitment 2026 is a direct recruitment drive conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) to fill 26 provisional vacancies in the A.P. Forest Subordinate Service. A Forest Section Officer manages a designated forest section under a Forest Range Officer, supervising field staff, implementing conservation activities, and maintaining forest records across Andhra Pradesh’s protected forest areas.

The APPSC released Brief Notification No. 17/2026 on 15 September 2026 as part of a larger recruitment wave that announced 299 posts across 8 services simultaneously. The detailed notification — containing complete age limits, community-wise vacancy breakdowns, application fee, and physical standards — will be published on or before 16 October 2026, which will also serve as the crucial date for all eligibility purposes.

The selection process is a single-level online CBRT examination. APPSC has explicitly confirmed that no separate Screening Test will be held, regardless of the number of applicants. Shortlisted candidates will also undergo a walking test and medical examination.

Who Should Apply for APPSC FSO 2026?

• 🎓 Science graduates who hold a Bachelor’s degree with Botany, Zoology, Agriculture, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Horticulture, or Forestry
• 🌳 Forestry graduates from recognized universities seeking a gazetted role in Andhra Pradesh’s forest administration
• 🏗️ Engineering degree holders (Chemical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering) who are interested in a forest-sector government career
• 📅 Candidates aged 18–30 years (exact upper age and community relaxations to be confirmed in the Detailed Notification)
• 🏃 Physically fit candidates prepared for walking and endurance tests as part of the selection process
• 💻 Computer-literate applicants who can clear the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) on office automation software (100 marks, 60 minutes)
• 🔍 Andhra Pradesh domicile candidates seeking a stable government position with an attractive pay scale up to Rs.1,01,970 per month
• 📚 Job aspirants preparing for APPSC exams who want to target a forestry post as part of their broader state government exam strategy

APPSC Forest Section Officer Vacancy 2026 — Total Posts

The APPSC FSO Recruitment 2026 announces 26 provisional vacancies for the Forest Section Officer post under Notification No. 17/2026. These vacancies fall under the A.P. Forest Subordinate Service, part of the broader APPSC September 2026 recruitment drive that covers 299 posts across 8 services. The community-wise and category-wise breakdown of the 26 vacancies will be released in the Detailed Notification on or before 16 October 2026.

This FSO recruitment is part of a mega drive that also includes 4 Forest Range Officer posts (Notification No. 16/2026) and 23 Forest Beat Officer posts (Notification No. 18/2026) released on the same date, giving forest-sector aspirants multiple concurrent opportunities.

APPSC Forest Section Officer Salary and Pay Scale 2026

The APPSC Forest Section Officer pay scale is Rs.32,670–Rs.1,01,970 per month as per the Revised Pay Scales applicable to A.P. Government employees. This is a gazetted position with additional allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA) on top of the basic pay, making the total in-hand compensation substantially higher.

For comparison, the Forest Range Officer post in the same batch carries a higher pay scale of Rs.48,440–Rs.1,37,220, while the Forest Beat Officer post carries Rs.25,220–Rs.80,910. The Forest Section Officer post sits mid-tier in the AP Forest Service hierarchy, with clear vertical promotion opportunities to Forest Range Officer over time.

APPSC FSO Eligibility Criteria 2026 — Qualification, Age and Physical Standards

The eligibility criteria for APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 are based on educational qualification and physical fitness. Complete age limit and community-wise relaxation details will be published in the Detailed Notification on or before 16 October 2026. Below is the confirmed eligibility as per the Brief Notification No. 17/2026 dated 15 September 2026.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least one of the following subjects:

• Botany
• Forestry
• Horticulture
• Zoology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Geology
• Agriculture

Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering are also eligible, subject to conditions specified in the official notification.

Age Limit

The minimum age is generally 18 years. The upper age limit and category-wise relaxations (OC, BC, SC, ST, Ex-servicemen, PH) will be specified in the Detailed Notification on or before 16 October 2026. As a reference, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has extended the 2-year upper-age-limit relaxation for uniform posts up to 30 September 2027 — candidates should check the Detailed Notification for applicability.

Physical Standards

Physical requirements including height, chest measurement, and walking endurance standards will be specified in the Detailed Notification. Candidates who qualify the written CBRT examination are required to clear a Walking Test and Medical Examination before final selection. Physical fitness is mandatory for the post given its field-intensive nature.

Application Fee

Application fee details were not included in the Brief Notification. Full fee details will be published with the Detailed Notification on or before 16 October 2026. Check psc.ap.gov.in for updates.

APPSC Forest Section Officer Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026

The APPSC FSO 2026 examination is a single-level online Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT). No separate Screening Test will be conducted regardless of the number of candidates who apply. The exam carries 1/3rd negative marking for each wrong answer.

Key Notes on the Exam Pattern

• The Qualifying Test in General English & General Telugu is qualifying in nature — marks will not count toward the final merit list but must be cleared
• Paper I, II, and III marks together determine the CBRT merit ranking
• 1/3 negative mark deducted for each incorrect response — blind guessing should be avoided
• If the exam is held in multiple sessions, marks will be normalized using a Commission-approved methodology
• Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Minimum qualifying marks are 40 for OC, 35 for BC, and 30 for SC/ST candidates out of 100
• After the written test, candidates must pass the Walking Test and Medical Examination for final appointment

How to Apply for APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 — Step-by-Step Process

All applications must be submitted online only through the official APPSC portal at psc.ap.gov.in. Applications through any other mode will not be accepted. The online application window opens on 16 October 2026 and closes on 5 November 2026 at 11:59 PM.

1. Read the Detailed Notification first — Download and thoroughly read the Detailed Notification (available on psc.ap.gov.in by 16 October 2026) before starting your application to confirm your eligibility on all parameters.
2. Register on the APPSC portal — Visit portal-psc.ap.gov.in. New users must register with a valid mobile number and email ID to create an APPSC One Time Registration (OTR) profile.
3. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) — Fill in personal, educational, and contact details accurately. Upload a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and file size.
4. Select Notification No. 17/2026 — After logging in, navigate to the active notifications section and select the Forest Section Officer (Notification No. 17/2026) to begin the application form.
5. Fill the Application Form — Enter all required details: personal information, educational qualifications, category, and physical details. Double-check every field before proceeding to payment.
6. Pay the Application Fee — Pay the prescribed application fee online using Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Fee details will be confirmed in the Detailed Notification. Retain the payment receipt.
7. Submit and Download Confirmation — Submit the final application. Download and print the filled application form and payment confirmation for your records. The system will generate an Application ID for future reference.

APPSC Forest Section Officer vs Forest Range Officer — Key Differences

Both the Forest Section Officer and Forest Range Officer positions were notified on 15 September 2026. Understanding the key differences helps you decide which post to target or whether to apply for both simultaneously.

Pros and Cons of the APPSC Forest Section Officer Post

Advantages

• ✅ Attractive pay scale up to Rs.1,01,970 per month with government benefits
• ✅ Job security as a permanent state government gazetted employee
• ✅ No Screening Test — single-level exam reduces wasted exam attempts
• ✅ 26 vacancies in 2026 offers relatively better probability vs other APPSC posts
• ✅ Meaningful work in forest conservation and biodiversity management
• ✅ Promotion path to Forest Range Officer and higher ranks over career progression

Disadvantages

• ❌ Mandatory physical test (walking and endurance) may eliminate otherwise academically qualified candidates
• ❌ Field postings in remote forests — working conditions can be demanding with limited urban amenities
• ❌ General Forestry Paper (450 marks) requires specialized subject knowledge that general exam aspirants must study from scratch
• ❌ Vacancies provisional — final count may change after departmental confirmation

Important Terms Related to APPSC FSO Recruitment 2026

• APPSC (Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission): The constitutional body that conducts civil service and subordinate service recruitment exams for the AP Government. Website: psc.ap.gov.in
• Forest Section Officer (FSO): A gazetted subordinate officer who manages a forest section — overseeing field staff, plantation activities, patrol operations, and revenue records under a Forest Range Officer.
• A.P. Forest Subordinate Service: The state service that covers gazetted and non-gazetted forest posts below the Indian Forest Service (IFS) level, recruited through APPSC.
• CBRT (Computer Based Recruitment Test): APPSC’s online examination mode where candidates answer objective-type questions on a computer terminal at designated test centers.
• OTR (One Time Registration): APPSC’s centralized candidate profile system — once registered, the same profile is used for all APPSC notifications without re-entering personal data.
• CPT (Computer Proficiency Test): A practical test covering office automation tools (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations). For APPSC FSO, it carries 100 marks and lasts 60 minutes; minimum qualifying marks are category-wise.
• Normalisation: A statistical process applied when the exam is conducted across multiple sessions to ensure fair comparison of scores across different difficulty levels.
• Brief Notification vs Detailed Notification: APPSC first releases a Brief Notification (advance notice with basic vacancy and pay info), followed by a Detailed Notification with complete eligibility, syllabus, fee, age limits, and instructions — the Detailed Notification date is the official “crucial date” for eligibility.
• Crucial Date: The date of the Detailed Notification (on or before 16 October 2026) is the reference date for determining educational qualification and age eligibility — not the date of the Brief Notification.
• General Forestry: The specialized paper in the APPSC FSO exam covering silviculture, forest management, ecology, wildlife, forest laws, soil conservation, hydrology, and related forestry science subjects.

APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 — Important Dates and Timeline

APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 — Important Links

Conclusion — Should You Apply for APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026?

The APPSC Forest Section Officer Notification 2026 is a solid government recruitment opportunity for science and engineering graduates in Andhra Pradesh. With 26 vacancies, a pay scale reaching Rs.1,01,970 per month, and a single-level CBRT examination (no separate screening test), the FSO post rewards focused, subject-specific preparation. Candidates who understand General Forestry and are physically fit have a strong chance of clearing this recruitment cycle.

Apply online between 16 October and 5 November 2026 at psc.ap.gov.in. Bookmark this page — we update it every time APPSC releases new information, including admit cards, exam dates, results, and walking test schedules. Check the Detailed Notification (releasing by 16 October 2026) for the final age limits, community-wise vacancies, and application fee before submitting your application.

Frequently Asked Questions About APPSC Forest Section Officer Notification 2026

How many vacancies are announced in APPSC Forest Section Officer Notification 2026?

The APPSC FSO Brief Notification No. 17/2026 dated 15 September 2026 announces 26 provisional vacancies for the Forest Section Officer post in the A.P. Forest Subordinate Service. The community-wise breakdown will be detailed in the Detailed Notification releasing on or before 16 October 2026.

What is the salary of the APPSC Forest Section Officer post?

The pay scale is Rs.32,670–Rs.1,01,970 per month as per the applicable A.P. Revised Pay Scales. In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive DA, HRA, TA, and other government allowances, making the total compensation package significantly higher than the basic pay.

What is the educational qualification required for APPSC FSO 2026?

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with subjects such as Botany, Forestry, Horticulture, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, or Agriculture. A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering is also accepted. The degree must be from a recognized university, and the eligibility must be met as on the date of the Detailed Notification.

Is there a Screening Test for APPSC Forest Section Officer Recruitment 2026?

No. APPSC has confirmed in Notification No. 17/2026 that no Screening Test will be conducted, irrespective of the number of applications received. The recruitment process follows a single-level CBRT examination mode, making it simpler than multi-stage processes.

When do the applications open and close for APPSC FSO 2026?

Online applications open on 16 October 2026 and the last date to submit is 5 November 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted exclusively online at portal-psc.ap.gov.in. No offline applications are accepted under any circumstances.

What is the exam pattern for the APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026 examination?

The APPSC FSO exam is a single-level CBRT with four papers: a Qualifying Test in General English and General Telugu (100 marks, qualifying only), Paper I General Studies and Mental Ability (150 marks), Paper II Mathematics (150 marks), and Paper III General Forestry (150 marks). A Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) of 100 marks and 60 minutes is also included. Negative marking of 1/3rd mark per wrong answer applies.

When will the Detailed Notification for APPSC FSO 2026 be released?

The APPSC Detailed Notification for Forest Section Officer 2026 will be published on or before 16 October 2026 on psc.ap.gov.in. The date of the Detailed Notification is the “crucial date” for determining eligibility on age, educational qualifications, and other conditions. Candidates must not base eligibility on the Brief Notification date (15 September 2026) alone.

What is the physical test requirement for APPSC Forest Section Officer 2026?

Candidates who qualify the written CBRT examination must pass a Walking Test and Medical Examination before final selection. Physical standards — including height, chest measurement, and endurance criteria — will be detailed in the Detailed Notification on or before 16 October 2026. The FSO is a field-intensive role, so physical fitness is a mandatory selection criterion.

Can candidates apply for both Forest Section Officer and Forest Range Officer posts simultaneously?

Yes. Both Notification No. 17/2026 (Forest Section Officer, 26 posts) and Notification No. 16/2026 (Forest Range Officer, 4 posts) were released on the same date with the same application window (16 October–5 November 2026). Eligible candidates can apply for both posts separately, subject to meeting the respective eligibility conditions for each post.

What is the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) for APPSC FSO 2026?

The CPT is a practical examination on office automation and associated software, lasting 60 minutes and carrying 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks are 40 for OC candidates, 35 for BC candidates, and 30 for SC/ST candidates. The CPT tests proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools commonly used in government office administration.

📅 Last Updated: September 2026 | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest APPSC FSO 2026 information including admit card dates, exam schedule, and results.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always refer to the official APPSC notification at psc.ap.gov.in for confirmed vacancy counts, eligibility criteria, application fee, and selection process details before applying. The number of vacancies is provisional and subject to change as per departmental confirmation.