APPSC Forest Recruitment 2026: The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission has issued three detailed notifications dated 16 October 2026 for 5 Forest Range Officer (FRO), 26 Forest Section Officer (FSO) and 23 Forest Beat Officer (FBO) vacancies. The combined total is 54 posts, including one carry-forward vacancy within the FRO total.

The notified online application period is 16 October 2026 to 5 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM. Apply through the APPSC website. Each post has a separate notification and eligibility conditions.

APPSC Forest Recruitment 2026 Overview

Post-wise Vacancies and Pay Scales

CF = carry-forward vacancy. These are notified pay scales, not take-home salaries. The FRO figure of 5 already includes the one CF post.

District-wise FSO and FBO Vacancies

Eluru and Eluru (Agency) are shown separately to preserve the notification labels. A dash means no vacancy listed for that post in that row. Refer to Annexure I for community, local/open and horizontal-reservation allocations; district totals alone do not determine individual eligibility.

Important Dates

Educational Qualifications

Forest Range Officer (FRO)

A recognised bachelor’s degree in one of the prescribed subjects or an accepted equivalent qualification:

• Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Applications / Computer Science.
• Engineering: Agriculture, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronics or Mechanical.
• Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science or Zoology.

Forest Section Officer (FSO)

A recognised bachelor’s degree with Botany, Forestry, Horticulture, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology or Agriculture as a subject; or a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Chemical, Mechanical or Civil Engineering; or an accepted equivalent qualification.

Forest Beat Officer (FBO)

Intermediate examination or equivalent. Candidates must also meet the prescribed age, physical and other eligibility requirements.

Qualifications must be held by the detailed-notification date. Candidates claiming an equivalent qualification must follow the supporting-document requirements in their respective notification. Do not assume that every degree is eligible for FRO or FSO.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The basic age limit for all three posts is 18–30 years as on 1 July 2026.

Application Fees

Exemption applies to the examination fee only. The notifications list SC, ST, BC, ex-servicemen, eligible A.P. white-card families and unemployed youth covered by the prescribed declaration conditions. Eligible exempt applicants still pay the ₹250 processing fee.

Other-state applicants must follow the specific restrictions in Para 8, including the stated ex-servicemen exception. EWS age relaxation does not by itself establish an examination-fee exemption. Confirm the category and payment amount in the application portal.

Physical Standards and Walking Test

Measurement basis matters: FRO lists chest measurements on expiration, whereas FSO/FBO list measurements on full inspiration. Use the standard from the notification for the post you apply for.

Physical-standard Relaxations

• FRO: For Scheduled Tribes and the specified groups listed in Para 3, minimum height is 152 cm for men and 145 cm for women.
• FSO/FBO: A 5 cm height relaxation is specified for the listed groups, including Scheduled Tribes. A further conditional ST provision specifies height of at least 158 cm, chest of at least 78.8 cm on full inspiration, and 5 cm expansion where the reserved quota cannot otherwise be filled. Read the exact conditions in Para 3.

The walking test is a qualifying physical-endurance requirement. Medical fitness is also required. The notifications prescribe a Medical Board examination at Rajamahendravaram. FSO/FBO also expressly require normal eyesight; follow the complete medical requirements for your post.

Selection Process and Exam Pattern

Selection involves the prescribed written papers and qualifying tests, physical/walking requirements, medical examination, Computer Proficiency Test (CPT), and verification of eligibility and certificates. Passing a qualifying test does not guarantee selection.

For FSO and FBO, eligible NCC certificate holders receive the stated bonus marks: C certificate: 5; B certificate: 3; A certificate: 1, subject to the notification conditions. Do not automatically apply this provision to FRO.

FRO Exam Pattern — 600 Merit Marks

FSO Exam Pattern — 450 Merit Marks

For FRO and FSO, the qualifying language test carries 50 marks each for General English and General Telugu. Candidates must qualify in each language individually.

FBO Exam Pattern — 200 Merit Marks

The FBO qualifying essay is on a theme related to forests and the environment. Although the notification describes the written examination as CBRT, Annexure II separately prescribes this descriptive essay; follow APPSC’s operational instructions when issued.

Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)

Annexure II contains the detailed subject syllabus and CPT syllabus. Preparation areas include General Studies and Mental Ability; SSC Mathematics; General Forestry for FRO/FSO; General Science for FBO; the respective language/essay qualifying test; and computer/office-automation skills.

How to Apply Online

1. Open the official APPSC website and read the detailed notification for your chosen post.
2. Create an OTPR profile if you are a new applicant, or sign in using your existing OTPR credentials.
3. Select the relevant recruitment: 16/2026 (FRO), 17/2026 (FSO) or 18/2026 (FBO).
4. Complete the application with accurate personal, educational, local-status and category details. Follow the portal’s instructions for documents, photograph and signature.
5. Check eligibility and any fee exemption, pay the required amount, and complete final submission before the deadline.
6. Save the submitted application and payment receipt. Continue checking APPSC for examination, hall-ticket and further selection notices.

OTPR registration is not an application. Complete the relevant recruitment application separately. Keep the registered mobile number and email address active.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Date-of-birth / SSC certificate and prescribed educational certificates.
• Study / residence documents for local status, where required.
• Community, BC non-creamy-layer, EWS or other applicable supporting certificates.
• Photograph, signature, OTPR details and fee-exemption evidence, if claimed.
• NCC, ex-servicemen or service certificates where applicable, and prescribed physical-measurement / medical documents at the required stage.

For BC non-creamy-layer and EWS claims, the notifications specify certificates issued on or after 1 April 2026, relating to FY 2025–26, and not later than the application closing date. Check the exact competent-authority and format requirements.

Download Notifications and Apply Online

Read the relevant PDF in full before applying. Each notification includes detailed vacancy allocation, eligibility conditions, exam scheme and syllabus.

If a PDF link does not open, visit the APPSC Recruitment Notifications page and locate Notification Nos. 16/2026, 17/2026 or 18/2026 dated 16 October 2026. Your browser may open a PDF first; use its download control to save it.

Frequently Asked Questions