Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has invited Online Recruitment Applications for 23 Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), Group-A (Job Trainee) posts in the Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh under Advertisement No. 63/9-2026. The advertisement is dated 25 September 2026. Applications and fee payment close on 22 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
All 23 vacancies are backlog Ward of Ex-Servicemen posts, so candidates should check the notified category requirements carefully.
Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh |
| Post | Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) |
| Classification | Group-A (Job Trainee) |
| Advertisement | 63/9-2026 |
| Vacancies | 23 |
| Vacancy nature | Backlog Ward of Ex-Servicemen |
| Emoluments | ₹29,500 per month |
| Age | 18–45 years |
| Age reckoning date | 1 January 2026 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Examination fee | ₹600 for all candidates irrespective of category or gender |
| Last date | 22 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved — Ward of Ex-Servicemen (Backlog) | 19 |
| SC of HP — Ward of Ex-Servicemen (Backlog) | 3 |
| OBC of HP — Ward of Ex-Servicemen (Backlog) | 1 |
| Total | 23 |
The Commission states that the number of vacancies may increase or decrease.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess:
- B.Sc. (Agriculture) under a four-year degree programme; and
- M.Sc. (Agriculture), 2nd Class
The qualifications must be from a college or university recognised by the State Government, Central Government or ICAR.
Desirable Qualification
- M.Sc. (Agriculture), 1st Class or above.
- Knowledge of the customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for appointment in the conditions prevailing in the state.
Age Limit
The prescribed age is 18 to 45 years, reckoned as on 1 January 2026. Applicable relaxation is governed by the detailed Himachal Pradesh rules stated in the notification.
Salary
Selected candidates will be engaged as Job Trainees with fixed emoluments of ₹29,500 per month.
Examination Fee
A uniform fee of ₹600 applies to all candidates irrespective of category or gender. Payment must be made online through an accepted digital mode. The fee is non-refundable.
Selection Process
The notification specifies Objective Type Screening Test / Descriptive Subject Aptitude Test, as applicable, followed by a Personality Test.
Paper I
Paper I is a one-hour CBT or offline screening test of 100 marks:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh | 30 |
| General Knowledge of National & International Affairs | 30 |
| Hindi Language | 20 |
| English Language | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Objective tests carry one-fourth (0.25) negative marking for wrong answers. The notification also specifies option “E” for candidates who do not want to answer a question; leaving a question blank attracts the prescribed negative marking.
Paper II
Paper II is a three-hour descriptive Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) of 120 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are 45% for General category and 40% for reserved categories.
Personality Test
The Personality Test carries 30 marks and is held at the Commission's office in Shimla. Minimum qualifying marks are 40% (12 marks) for General category and 30% (9 marks) for reserved categories.
Final ranking is based on SAT marks (120) plus Personality Test marks (30), subject to the selection provisions in the notification.
Examination Centre
The advertisement lists Shimla as the examination station/city. The Commission may change or allot examination centres according to its requirements.
Documents to Upload
Candidates should upload the applicable documents, including:
- Matriculation certificate for age proof
- Degree certificates and marks sheets
- Experience certificate wherever required
- Valid category certificate
- Bonafide Himachali Certificate for reserved-category candidates
- Applicable Ex-Servicemen/Ward of Ex-Servicemen documents
- Other prescribed supporting documents
How to Apply
- Read the official HPPSC Advertisement 63/9-2026.
- Visit the HPPSC website.
- Open Apply Online and then One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations.
- Register or sign in to your OTR account.
- Select the Agriculture Development Officer advertisement.
- Complete the Online Recruitment Application.
- Upload the required documents, photograph and signature.
- Pay the ₹600 examination fee online.
- Carefully preview the application and uploaded documents.
- Submit by 22 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Applications through any other mode are not accepted.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement date | 25 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 22 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last date to pay fee | 22 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
Important Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online / OTR | HPPSC Online Application Portal |
| Official Notification | Advertisement 63/9-2026 |
| Official Website | HPPSC |
Important Note
The advertised vacancies are specifically 19 UR Ward of Ex-Servicemen, 3 SC of HP Ward of Ex-Servicemen and 1 OBC of HP Ward of Ex-Servicemen backlog posts. Candidates should confirm that they satisfy the applicable category conditions before paying the examination fee.
Candidates should regularly check the HPPSC website for examination dates, admit cards, corrigenda and recruitment updates.