Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for Forest Range Officer, Forest Section Officer, Forest Beat Officer, and Draughtsman Posts (Notifications No. 15/2026 to 18/2026)

The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), Vijayawada, has officially released multiple brief employment notifications dated 15th September 2026 for direct recruitment to various subordinate services across state departments.

This prominent recruitment drive covers crucial technical, administrative, and forestry wing posts including Forest Range Officers (FRO), Forest Section Officers (FSO), Forest Beat Officers (FBO), and Draughtsman Grade-II (Technical Assistant). The online registration and application window is scheduled to open on 16th October 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official portal up to 5th November 2026 (11:59 PM).

Recruitment Overview Matrix

Feature	Details
Conducting Organization	Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), Vijayawada
Notification Release Date	15th September 2026
Post Designations	Forest Range Officer, Forest Section Officer, Forest Beat Officer, Draughtsman Grade-II
Total Forestry & Technical Vacancies	73 Openings (Out of total 299 across all 8 notifications)
Job Location / Cadre	State of Andhra Pradesh
Application Mode	Online Only (via APPSC web portal)
Online Application Start Date	16th October 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	5th November 2026 (up to 11:59 PM)
Official Website Portal	psc.ap.gov.in

Important Schedule & Timeline Matrix

Event Description	Official Dates & Timeline
Brief Notification Release Date	15th September 2026
Detailed Notification PDF Publication Date	On or before 16th October 2026
Commencement of Online Application Form	16th October 2026
Closing Date & Time for Online Applications	5th November 2026 (up to 23:59 Hours)
Computer-Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) Date	To be notified subsequently on the portal

Post-Wise Vacancy & Salary Structure Matrix

Notification No.	Post Name / Cadre	Total Openings	Scale of Pay (7th/State Pay Scale, ₹)
No. 16/2026	Forest Range Officer (A.P. Forest Service)	04	₹48,440 – ₹1,37,220/-
No. 17/2026	Forest Section Officer (A.P. Forest Subordinate Service)	26	₹32,670 – ₹1,01,970/-
No. 18/2026	Forest Beat Officer (A.P. Forest Subordinate Service)	23	₹25,220 – ₹80,910/-
No. 15/2026	Draughtsman Grade-II (Technical Assistant)	20	₹34,580 – ₹1,07,210/-
Total	—	73 Posts	—

Eligibility Criteria & Essential Parameters

1. Educational Qualifications (Post-Wise Summary)

• Forest Range Officer: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University in one of the following subjects: Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Applications/Computer Science, Engineering (Agriculture/Chemical/Civil/Computer/Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical), Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science, or Zoology.
• Forest Section Officer: 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 (Chemical/Mechanical/Civil) from a recognized university.
• Forest Beat Officer: Must have passed the Intermediate Examination (10+2) or its equivalent qualification from a recognized board.
• Draughtsman Grade-II (Technical Assistant): Must possess a Trade Certificate / ITI qualification in Draughtsman (Civil) Trade or its equivalent examination.

2. Physical & Walking Test Requirements (For Forest Wing Posts)

Candidates applying for FRO, FSO, and FBO posts must satisfy rigorous physical standards:

• Height Standards:
  • Male Candidates: Not less than 163 cm.
  • Female Candidates: Not less than 150 cm.
• Chest Measurements (For Men): Minimum 79 cm with an expansion of at least 5 cm (74 cm for women with 5 cm expansion).
• Walking Test:
  • Male Candidates: Must complete a walking test of 25 km in 4 hours.
  • Female Candidates: Must complete a walking test of 16 km in 4 hours.

Selection Process Structure

1. Written Examination (CBRT Mode): Single or multi-stage objective type Computer-Based Recruitment Test evaluating General Studies, Mental Ability, and relevant professional subject papers.
2. Physical Measurements & Walking Test: Mandatory qualifying outdoor physical endurance and walking evaluation for forestry cadre applicants.
3. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Practical test assessing office automation and software usage skills.
4. Document Verification & Medical Examination: Final merit generation based on written examination scores and verification of original credentials.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online

1. Visit Official Portal: Go to the official APPSC website at psc.ap.gov.in.
2. One-Time Profile Registration (OTPR): If not registered already, complete the OTPR process by submitting personal details, Aadhaar information, and active contact parameters.
3. Select Recruitment Notification: Navigate to the active notifications link for Notifications No. 15/2026 to 18/2026.
4. Fill Application Form: Log in using your user credentials, select the preferred post, and accurately enter educational and personal records.
5. Upload Scanned Documents: Upload clear digital passport-size photographs and signatures as per official file size guidelines.
6. Pay Application & Examination Fees: Complete the fee payment transaction through online digital modes (Net Banking, UPI, or Debit/Credit Cards).
7. Final Submission & Printout: Submit your application before 5th November 2026 (11:59 PM) and download the filled application acknowledgment for future reference.

🔗 APPSC Official Website Portal

📄 Notifications Forest Range Officers

Notifications Forest Beat Officer

Notifications Draughtsman Grade-II (Technical Assistant)

Notifications Forest Section Office

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the last date to apply online for APPSC Recruitment 2026?

A: The online application window for Notifications No. 15/2026 to 18/2026 closes strictly on 5th November 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Q2: When does the online application process officially begin?

A: The online application submission commences on 16th October 2026.

Q3: How many total vacancies are advertised across these specific forest and technical posts?

A: A total of 73 vacancies have been announced across Forest Range Officer (04), Forest Section Officer (26), Forest Beat Officer (23), and Draughtsman Grade-II (20) posts.

Q4: What are the educational qualifications required for a Forest Beat Officer (FBO)?

A: Candidates must have passed the Intermediate Examination (10+2) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized board.

Q5: Are there any physical endurance tests required for forest wing posts?

A: Yes. Candidates must clear height measurements and a mandatory walking test (25 km in 4 hours for men and 16 km in 4 hours for women).