APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released Brief Notification No. 16/2026 for the recruitment of Forest Range Officers in the A.P. Forest Service. The notification was issued on 15 September 2026 and announces 4 provisional vacancies.
The online application process is scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026 and candidates can submit their applications up to 5 November 2026, 11:59 PM. The post carries an attractive pay scale of ₹48,440 to ₹1,37,220.
Candidates interested in Forest Department jobs should carefully check the educational qualification and physical requirements before applying. The APPSC notification specifies that applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the prescribed subjects.
The recruitment examination will be conducted in online Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) mode. As per the brief notification, there will be no Screening Test, irrespective of the number of applications received.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Department | A.P. Forest Service |
| Post Name | Forest Range Officer |
| Notification Number | 16/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 4 |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,440 – ₹1,37,220 |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in prescribed subjects |
| Age Limit | Will be specified in Detailed Notification |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) |
| Job Location | Andhra Pradesh |
| Notification Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 16 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 5 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
Important: The brief notification states that the Detailed Notification containing the vacancy breakup, age, community, detailed eligibility, physical requirements and other instructions will be available on or before 16 October 2026.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Vacancy 2026
APPSC has announced 4 provisional vacancies for Forest Range Officers in the A.P. Forest Service.
| Post Name | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Forest Range Officer | 4 |
| Total | 4 |
The vacancy figure is provisional and may change after confirmation from the concerned department.
Category-Wise Vacancy Details
The Brief Notification No. 16/2026 does not provide the category-wise breakup of the 4 vacancies.
| Category | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| General / OC | To be announced in Detailed Notification |
| BC | To be announced in Detailed Notification |
| SC | To be announced in Detailed Notification |
| ST | To be announced in Detailed Notification |
| EWS | To be announced in Detailed Notification |
| Total | 4 |
Candidates should check the Detailed Notification before applying because APPSC has specifically stated that the vacancy breakup and community details will be provided in the detailed notification.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Educational Qualification 2026
Candidates applying for the Forest Range Officer post must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification in any of the subjects prescribed by APPSC.
The accepted subjects include:
- Agriculture
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Computer Applications
- Computer Science
- Agricultural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Forestry
- Geology
- Horticulture
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
- Veterinary Science
- Zoology
The degree must be from a university established or incorporated under a Central Act, State Act or Provincial Act, or from an institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), or an equivalent qualification accepted by APPSC.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Age Limit 2026
The exact age limit is not mentioned in the Brief Notification. APPSC has stated that the age, community eligibility, relaxation rules and other conditions will be provided in the Detailed Notification.
Therefore, candidates should not rely on unofficial age limits until the Detailed Notification is released.
| Age Parameter | Status |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | To be confirmed in Detailed Notification |
| Maximum Age | To be confirmed in Detailed Notification |
| Age Relaxation | To be confirmed in Detailed Notification |
| Crucial Date | As specified in Detailed Notification |
The Detailed Notification is scheduled to be available on or before 16 October 2026.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Salary 2026
Selected Forest Range Officers will receive a pay scale of:
₹48,440 – ₹1,37,220
This is the official pay scale mentioned in APPSC Notification No. 16/2026. In addition to the basic pay structure, eligible government employees may receive applicable allowances and benefits according to Andhra Pradesh government rules.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection process for APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026 includes a written examination and subsequent qualifying/physical stages.
According to the brief notification, the recruitment will have a single-level examination and no Screening Test will be conducted, irrespective of the number of applications received.
The major stages are:
1. Computer Based Recruitment Test
The written examination will be conducted online in CBRT mode.
2. Computer Proficiency Test
Eligible candidates will be required to appear for a Computer Proficiency Test. Candidates will be called in a ratio of 1:3 with reference to the notified vacancies.
3. Walking Test
Candidates are required to undergo a walking test conducted by the Forest Department.
4. Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates will undergo a Medical Examination conducted by a Medical Board.
The walking test and medical examination will be arranged by the Forest Department with the concurrence of APPSC.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The written examination is of Degree Standard and carries a total of 600 marks, apart from the qualifying General English and General Telugu test.
| Paper / Test | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Test | General English & General Telugu | 100 | 100 |
| Paper I | General Studies & Mental Ability | 150 | 150 |
| Paper II | Mathematics | 150 | 150 |
| Paper III | General Forestry-I | 150 | 150 |
| Paper IV | General Forestry-II | 150 | 150 |
| Written Examination Total | — | — | 600 |
The General English and General Telugu test is qualifying in nature, with candidates required to qualify both sections individually.
The written examination includes General Studies & Mental Ability, Mathematics, General Forestry-I and General Forestry-II. One-third of the marks prescribed for a question will be deducted for every wrong answer, as specified in the notification.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Syllabus – Major Topics
General Studies & Mental Ability
Important areas include:
- Current Affairs
- International, National and Andhra Pradesh issues
- General Science
- Science and Technology
- Information Technology
- Indian History
- Indian National Movement
- Geography of India and Andhra Pradesh
- Indian Constitution and Governance
- Indian Economy
- Sustainable Development
- Environmental Protection
- Disaster Management
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Ability
- Data Analysis
Mathematics
The Mathematics paper is based broadly on SSC-level mathematics and includes:
- Number System
- Arithmetic
- Time and Distance
- Time and Work
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Ratio and Proportion
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
General Forestry-I
Major topics include:
- Natural Resources
- Forest Resources
- Water Resources
- Mineral Resources
- Food and Energy Resources
- Land Resources
- Plant Sciences
- Biodiversity
- Soil Science
- Geology
- Water Resource Management
- Watershed Management
- Silviculture
- Agroforestry
- Social Forestry
- Community Forest Management
General Forestry-II
Major topics include:
- Ecosystem and Wildlife
- Forest Protection
- Wildlife Biology
- Forest Utilization
- Animal Management
- Economic Zoology
- Forest Economics
- Forest Legislation
- Forest Administration
- Forest Inventory
- Forest Mensuration
- Remote Sensing
- GIS and GPS
- Environmental Sciences
The syllabus is detailed in the annexure to the official brief notification.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Detailed Notification | On or before 16 October 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 16 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 5 November 2026 |
| Last Time for Application | 11:59 PM |
| Examination Date | To be announced |
Candidates should submit their applications well before the closing date rather than waiting until the last day.
How to Apply for APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates will have to submit the application form through the official APPSC website.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Visit the official APPSC website.
Step 2: Open the recruitment/notification section.
Step 3: Find Forest Range Officer – Notification No. 16/2026.
Step 4: Read the Detailed Notification carefully before applying.
Step 5: Complete the required registration/application process.
Step 6: Enter personal, educational and other required details correctly.
Step 7: Upload the required documents, photograph and signature wherever required.
Step 8: Pay the applicable application/examination fee, if prescribed in the Detailed Notification.
Step 9: Check the complete application form before final submission.
Step 10: Submit the application online.
Step 11: Download and save the final submitted application/acknowledgement for future reference.
Applications sent through any mode other than the prescribed online mode will not be entertained.
Required Documents for APPSC Forest Range Officer Application
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before starting the online application:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Aadhaar Card or another valid identity document
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate
- Educational qualification marksheets
- Date of Birth proof
- Caste/Community certificate, if applicable
- EWS certificate, if applicable
- Disability/PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Local/Residence certificate, if required
- Experience certificate, if applicable
- Other documents mentioned in the Detailed Notification
Note: The final document requirements should be checked against the Detailed Notification before submitting the application.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Application Fee
The Brief Notification primarily provides the vacancy, qualification, examination and application schedule. Candidates should check the Detailed Notification for the exact application processing fee and examination fee, exemptions and payment instructions.
Do not rely on fee figures from older APPSC Forest Range Officer recruitments because fee rules can change from one recruitment to another.
Important Links – APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official APPSC Website | Click Here |
| APPSC Recruitment Portal | Click Here |
| Forest Range Officer Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF |
| Detailed Notification | To be released on/before 16 October 2026 |
| Online Application | To be activated by APPSC |
| Official APPSC Announcements | APPSC Announcements |
The official portal currently lists the Forest Range Officer Brief Notification No. 16/2026 dated 15 September 2026.
How to Prepare for APPSC Forest Range Officer Exam 2026?
Forest Range Officer is a specialized government position, so preparation should cover both general competitive-exam subjects and forestry-related topics.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern First
The written examination has four main papers carrying 600 marks. General Forestry-I and General Forestry-II are especially important because together they account for 300 marks.
Candidates should therefore give sufficient preparation time to forestry subjects instead of focusing only on General Studies.
2. Give Priority to General Forestry
Prepare topics such as:
- Silviculture
- Biodiversity
- Wildlife
- Forest Management
- Soil Conservation
- Watershed Management
- Forest Protection
- Forest Economics
- Forest Laws
- Remote Sensing
- GIS
- Forest Mensuration
3. Strengthen Mathematics
Mathematics is based around SSC-level concepts. Regular practice can significantly improve speed and accuracy.
Focus on:
- Percentage
- Ratio
- Profit and Loss
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Statistics
4. Prepare Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs
General Studies specifically includes issues related to Andhra Pradesh. Read current affairs regularly and maintain short notes on:
- Andhra Pradesh government schemes
- Environment
- Forest and wildlife projects
- Economy
- Geography
- Important government decisions
- National parks and wildlife sanctuaries
- Climate and environmental developments
5. Practice Previous-Level Questions
Solve questions from previous APPSC examinations wherever the syllabus overlaps. This helps understand question difficulty and improves time management.
6. Take Mock Tests
Regular mock tests are useful for improving:
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Question selection
- Time management
- Negative-marking strategy
Because the examination includes negative marking, candidates should avoid blind guessing.
7. Do Not Ignore Physical Preparation
The recruitment includes a walking test and Medical Examination. Candidates should therefore maintain physical fitness along with academic preparation.
8. Practice Computer Skills
The notification also provides for a Computer Proficiency Test. Candidates should practice basic computer operations, office applications, typing and document-related tasks.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026 – Key Points at a Glance
- Notification: 16/2026
- Post: Forest Range Officer
- Department: A.P. Forest Service
- Vacancies: 4
- Pay Scale: ₹48,440 – ₹1,37,220
- Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in prescribed subjects
- Application Mode: Online
- Application Start: 16 October 2026
- Last Date: 5 November 2026
- Exam Mode: Online CBRT
- Written Exam: 600 marks
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark for each wrong answer
- Physical Stage: Walking Test
- Medical Stage: Medical Examination
- CPT: Computer Proficiency Test
- Official Website: psc.ap.gov.in
APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026 – FAQs in English
Q1. How many Forest Range Officer vacancies are announced by APPSC in 2026?
APPSC has announced 4 provisional vacancies for Forest Range Officers in the A.P. Forest Service.
Q2. What is the APPSC Forest Range Officer salary?
The official pay scale is ₹48,440 to ₹1,37,220.
Q3. What is the educational qualification for APPSC Forest Range Officer?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the subjects prescribed by APPSC, such as Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Forestry, Environmental Science, Geology, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science, Zoology or specified Engineering/Computer-related subjects.
Q4. When will the APPSC Forest Range Officer application process start?
The online application process is scheduled to start on 16 October 2026.
Q5. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 5 November 2026 up to 11:59 PM.
Q6. Is there a Screening Test for APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026?
No. The brief notification states that the recruitment will have a single-level examination and no Screening Test will be conducted.
Q7. What is the APPSC Forest Range Officer exam mode?
The examination will be conducted in Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) mode.
Q8. How many marks are there in the written examination?
The main written examination carries 600 marks.
Q9. Is there negative marking?
Yes. As per the notification, one-third of the marks prescribed for the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Q10. Is a physical test required?
Yes. Eligible candidates are required to undergo a Walking Test and Medical Examination conducted by the Forest Department/Medical Board.
APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026 – FAQs in Hindi
प्रश्न 1. APPSC Forest Range Officer भर्ती 2026 में कितने पद हैं?
APPSC ने Forest Range Officer के लिए 4 provisional vacancies जारी की हैं।
प्रश्न 2. Forest Range Officer की Salary कितनी है?
इस पद का official pay scale ₹48,440 से ₹1,37,220 है।
प्रश्न 3. APPSC Forest Range Officer के लिए Qualification क्या है?
उम्मीदवार के पास निर्धारित विषयों में Bachelor’s Degree होनी चाहिए। इनमें Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Forestry, Environmental Science, Geology, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Veterinary Science, Zoology तथा कुछ Engineering और Computer-related subjects शामिल हैं।
प्रश्न 4. APPSC Forest Range Officer का Form कब शुरू होगा?
Online application 16 October 2026 से शुरू होगा।
प्रश्न 5. Form भरने की Last Date क्या है?
Online आवेदन की अंतिम तिथि 5 November 2026, रात 11:59 बजे तक है।
प्रश्न 6. क्या इस भर्ती में Screening Test होगा?
नहीं। Brief Notification के अनुसार Forest Range Officer भर्ती में Single-Level Examination होगा और Screening Test आयोजित नहीं किया जाएगा।
प्रश्न 7. Forest Range Officer Exam किस Mode में होगा?
Exam Computer Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) mode में आयोजित किया जाएगा।
प्रश्न 8. Written Exam कितने Marks का होगा?
मुख्य Written Examination 600 Marks का होगा।
प्रश्न 9. क्या Negative Marking होगी?
हाँ। प्रत्येक गलत उत्तर के लिए निर्धारित अंकों का 1/3 हिस्सा काटा जाएगा।
प्रश्न 10. क्या Physical Test होगा?
हाँ। उम्मीदवारों को Walking Test और Medical Examination से गुजरना होगा।
Conclusion
APPSC Forest Range Officer Recruitment 2026 is a specialized opportunity for graduates who want to build a career in the Andhra Pradesh Forest Service. With 4 provisional vacancies and a pay scale of ₹48,440–₹1,37,220, the recruitment can attract candidates with backgrounds in forestry, agriculture, science, engineering and related disciplines.
Candidates should begin preparation early, particularly for General Forestry-I, General Forestry-II, General Studies, Mathematics and the qualifying English/Telugu test. Physical fitness should also be maintained because the recruitment includes a walking test and medical examination.
Since the present document is a Brief Notification, candidates must check the Detailed Notification before submitting their application for the final age limit, category-wise vacancies, physical standards, fee and other detailed conditions.
For more government job updates, recruitment notifications, eligibility details and preparation guidance, keep visiting NewJobOnline.in.