OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 Out – Download Provisional Key PDF for Paper I and II

OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 is officially out. The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) Examination 2026, conducted on 27 September 2026 under Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27. This guide is for every candidate who appeared in the OPSC AHO written exam and wants to estimate their score, challenge incorrect answers, and plan ahead for the Personality Test. It covers the direct PDF download link, step-by-step download process, marking scheme, score calculation, objection process, a full comparison with the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026, and all critical dates.

KEA VAO Answer Key 2026 – Download Paper 1 and Paper 2 Key PDF

What Is the OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026?

The OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 is the official provisional solution sheet published by the Odisha Public Service Commission after the written examination for 22 posts of Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B), held on 27 September 2026. It lists the correct answers to all 100 questions in Paper I and all 100 questions in Paper II across four question paper sets — A, B, C, and D — enabling candidates to cross-verify their responses and estimate their probable score before the final result is declared.

This is a provisional key, meaning it remains subject to revision. Candidates who identify errors can file formal objections with supporting justification through the official OPSC online portal until 13 October 2026. After reviewing all valid challenges, OPSC will publish the OPSC AHO Final Answer Key 2026, which forms the authoritative basis for shortlisting candidates for the Personality Test and preparing the select list.

WBPSC Miscellaneous Answer Key 2026 Out – Download Prelims Provisional PDF & Raise Objection

Who Should Check the OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026?

• 🎓 B.Sc. Horticulture / B.Sc. Agriculture graduates who sat for the OPSC AHO written exam on 27 September 2026
• 📋 Candidates from UR, SC, and ST categories competing for 22 Group-B posts across Odisha
• 🔍 Candidates who noticed potentially wrong answers during the exam and want to file a formal objection before 13 October 2026
• 📊 Candidates estimating their written score to gauge eligibility for the Personality Test shortlist (1:2 ratio per category)
• 🏆 Candidates targeting the Level-10 Group-B post with a starting basic pay of Rs.44,900/month under ORSP Rules 2017
• 👩 Women candidates competing for 07-W reserved posts — 02-W (UR), 02-W (SC), 03-W (ST)
• ♿ PwD candidates (Cat-I LV, 40%+ disability) with 1 reserved post — verify your set carefully
• 📝 Coaching institutes and educators building question banks for future OPSC horticulture examinations

Download OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 PDF — Direct Link

OPSC has released the provisional answer key PDF for both papers at its official website. Separate keys are available for all four question paper sets. Use the table below to access the download link and the objection portal instantly:

Note: The PDF contains answers for all four sets (A, B, C, D) in a consolidated document. Identify your question booklet set from your admit card or OMR sheet before comparing answers.

How to Download OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 — Step-by-Step Process

1. Visit the official website: Go to opsc.gov.in on your browser.
2. Navigate to “What’s New” or “Notifications”: Locate the latest notices section on the OPSC homepage.
3. Find the AHO Answer Key notice: Look for the notice titled “Provisional Answer Key for Assistant Horticulture Officer Examination 2026 — Advt. No. 06 of 2026-27.”
4. Click the PDF link: Download the consolidated answer key PDF covering Paper I and Paper II for all four sets.
5. Identify your Set: Your question paper set (A, B, C, or D) is printed on your admit card and on the OMR answer sheet. Match it carefully before verifying answers.
6. Compare your responses: Go through each question number and separately count correct answers, wrong answers, and un-attempted questions for accurate score calculation.

OPSC AHO 2026 Marking Scheme and Score Calculation

The OPSC AHO Written Examination 2026 follows an MCQ OMR-based pattern with negative marking. Understanding the marking scheme precisely is essential for accurate score estimation and for deciding whether borderline answers are worth challenging.

Score Calculation Formula: Score = (Correct Answers × 1) – (Wrong Answers × 0.25). Calculate Paper I and Paper II scores separately, then add both for your total written score out of 200. Example: 65 correct + 15 wrong in a paper = 65 – 3.75 = 61.25 marks for that paper. Shortlisting for the Personality Test follows a 1:2 ratio per category (minimum 5 per category).

How to Raise Objections Against OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026

Candidates who believe any answer in the provisional key is incorrect can challenge it online. The objection window runs from 03 October 2026 to 13 October 2026. OPSC will not accept objections through any channel other than the official portal.

1. Log in to opsc.gov.in using your PPSAN (Permanent Public Service Account Number) and registered password.
2. Open the AHO Objection Module linked in the provisional answer key notice for Advt. No. 06 of 2026-27.
3. Select the Set A question number for the disputed answer — this is mandatory regardless of your actual question paper set.
4. Choose the answer you believe is correct from the options listed in the objection form.
5. Provide supporting justification: Attach relevant evidence — standard textbook references, ICAR guidelines, government publications, or peer-reviewed sources. Vague objections without evidence are rejected.
6. Submit before 13 October 2026: No deadline extensions are granted. Email, postal, or in-person objections are not accepted under any circumstances.

After the window closes, OPSC’s expert committee reviews all valid challenges. Answers found incorrect are revised in the OPSC AHO Final Answer Key 2026. Questions found entirely invalid may be awarded marks to all candidates uniformly.

OPSC AHO vs OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026 — Comparison

Pros and Cons of the Provisional Answer Key System

Advantages

• ✅ Transparency in recruitment: Candidates can verify answers independently before results are announced, reducing scope for disputes
• ✅ Error correction opportunity: Legitimate errors in question-setting can be identified and corrected before they distort results for hundreds of candidates
• ✅ Score estimation for strategic planning: Strong scorers can begin interview preparation; borderline candidates can focus energy on strong objections
• ✅ Fast release timeline: OPSC published the AHO key within 6 days of the 27 September exam — one of the faster answer-key turnarounds among state PSCs in India

Disadvantages

• ❌ Very tight objection window: Only 10 days (03–13 October) to research, gather textbook evidence, and submit — leaves little time for thorough challenge preparation
• ❌ Set A conversion required: Candidates in Sets B, C, or D must manually convert their question number to Set A before filing — a common source of invalid objections
• ❌ No real-time acknowledgement: OPSC does not confirm receipt of objections — candidates must wait for the final answer key to know if their challenge was accepted

Important Terms Related to OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026

• Provisional Answer Key: The first version released by OPSC post-exam — subject to revision after reviewing candidate objections. Never treat it as final for result estimation.
• Final Answer Key: The revised, definitive version released after the objection review process. This key is used to prepare the result and select list.
• Negative Marking (–0.25): Each wrong answer in OPSC AHO 2026 deducts 0.25 marks. A candidate with 60 correct and 20 wrong answers scores 60 – 5 = 55 marks per paper.
• OMR Evaluation: Responses are recorded on Optical Mark Recognition sheets, scanned electronically, and matched against the key — minimal manual intervention once the key is finalised.
• PPSAN: Permanent Public Service Account Number — your unique OPSC candidate ID required to access the objection portal and all future OPSC communications.
• Personality Test (25 Marks): Interview before the OPSC selection board for shortlisted candidates. Grand total for merit = 200 (written) + 25 (interview) = 225 marks.
• ORSP Rules 2017: Odisha Revised Scale of Pay Rules 2017 — the pay framework that governs the Level-10 pay scale for AHO posts, with Rs.44,900 starting basic pay.
• Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27: The official OPSC notification reference (No. 4200/PSC dated 18.07.2026) for the AHO recruitment cycle — cite this in all official correspondence.
• 1:2 Shortlisting Ratio: For every 1 advertised vacancy per category, 2 candidates are called for the Personality Test — minimum 5 per category regardless of vacancies.
• Set A Reference Rule: OPSC requires all objections to cite the corresponding question number in Set A — not the number in your actual question booklet set.

OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 — Important Dates and Timeline

Important Links — OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026

Conclusion — OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026

The OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 is now live at opsc.gov.in, giving every candidate from the 27 September exam a clear window to verify answers, calculate probable scores, and challenge any discrepancy before the final result is declared. With only 22 Group-B posts and a merit list drawn from 225 total marks, precision matters — a single successfully overturned objection can meaningfully shift your rank. Download the provisional PDF immediately, compare it against your OMR responses for both Paper I and Paper II, and file any well-supported objection before 13 October 2026. Bookmark this page — Agrijob.in will update it the moment the Final Answer Key and result are published at opsc.gov.in.

Frequently Asked Questions About OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026

Is the OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 released?

Yes. The Odisha Public Service Commission officially released the OPSC AHO Provisional Answer Key 2026 on 03 October 2026 for the Assistant Horticulture Officer exam held on 27 September 2026 under Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27. Candidates can download the consolidated PDF directly from opsc.gov.in.

How do I download the OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026 PDF?

Visit opsc.gov.in, navigate to the “What’s New” or “Notifications” section, and click the notice for the OPSC AHO Provisional Answer Key 2026 (Advt. No. 06 of 2026-27). The PDF covers Paper I and Paper II for all four question paper sets — A, B, C, and D.

What is the last date to raise objections for OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026?

The last date to submit objections against the OPSC AHO Provisional Answer Key 2026 is 13 October 2026. Objections must be filed online through the official OPSC portal with adequate justification and supporting documentary evidence. OPSC will not accept objections by email, post, or in person after the deadline.

Is there negative marking in the OPSC AHO exam 2026?

Yes. The OPSC AHO Written Examination 2026 carries negative marking of 0.25 marks (25%) for each wrong answer. Each correct answer awards +1 mark. Un-attempted questions carry zero marks. With 100 questions per paper, the maximum per-paper score is 100 marks and the minimum possible is –25 marks (all wrong).

Which question paper sets are included in the OPSC AHO Answer Key 2026?

The provisional answer key covers all four question paper sets — Set A, Set B, Set C, and Set D — for both Paper I and Paper II. Identify your set from your admit card or OMR response sheet before cross-checking. When raising an objection, always reference the Set A question number regardless of the set you appeared in.

What are the total marks for OPSC AHO 2026 selection?

The total marks for the OPSC AHO 2026 selection process are 225 marks — 200 marks for the Written Examination (Paper I: 100 + Paper II: 100) and 25 marks for the Personality Test (Interview). The final merit list and select list are based on the aggregate of both stages, with the tiebreaker being higher written exam marks, followed by older age.

How many candidates will be shortlisted for the OPSC AHO Personality Test 2026?

Candidates are shortlisted for the Personality Test in a 1:2 ratio of advertised vacancies per category, subject to a minimum of 5 per category. With 22 total posts across UR (06), SC (07), and ST (09), approximately 44 candidates will be called for the interview across all categories.

What is the salary for the OPSC AHO 2026 post?

The OPSC Assistant Horticulture Officer post carries the pay scale at Level-10 of the Pay Matrix under ORSP Rules 2017, with a starting basic pay of Rs.44,900 per month (pre-revised PB-2: Rs.9,300–34,800 + Grade Pay Rs.4,600). Including Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other admissible allowances under Odisha Government norms, the approximate gross monthly salary is between Rs.35,000 and Rs.45,000.

When will the OPSC AHO Final Answer Key 2026 be released?

OPSC has not announced a specific date for the OPSC AHO Final Answer Key 2026. It will be published after the objection window closes on 13 October 2026 and the expert committee completes its review. Candidates should monitor opsc.gov.in regularly — this page at Agrijob.in will be updated with the final key and result link as soon as they are available.

Last Updated: October 2026 | Source: Odisha Public Service Commission — opsc.gov.in | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest OPSC AHO 2026 updates.

GSSSB CCE Answer Key 2026 Out – Download Group A & B Response Sheet

MPSC Assistant Professor Final Answer Key 2026 – Download PDF at mpsc.gov.in