Detailed Guide & Information
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) Advertisement No. 63/9-2026 is out for HPPSC Agriculture Development Officer Group-A (Job Trainee) recruitment. The posts are under Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh. In total, there are 23 backlog vacancy posts for eligible candidates. Candidates will have to apply online for HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026 through the One Time Registration (OTR) portal. HPPSC ADO Recruitment application process started on 25th September 2026. Last date to submit application and pay the exam fee is 22nd October 2026 till 11:59 PM. Candidates with B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agriculture are eligible to apply as per prescribed eligibility conditions.
HPPSC Agriculture Development Officer Notification 2026 PDF: Click to Download
HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026 Overview
The Himachal Pradesh Department of Agriculture has announced a recruitment for the post of Agriculture Development Officer. The post is classified as Group-A (Job Trainee) and carries fixed monthly emoluments of Rs. 29,500. Check the table below for quick details.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Conducting Authority | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh |
| Post Name | Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) |
| Post Classification | Group-A (Job Trainee) |
| Advertisement No. | 63/9-2026 |
| Notification Date | 25th September 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 23 |
| Nature of Vacancies | Backlog |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 25th September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22nd October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 22nd October 2026, up to 11:59 PM |
| Examination Fee | Rs. 600 |
| Monthly Emoluments | Rs. 29,500 |
| Official Website | hppsc.hp.gov.in |
HPPSC Agriculture Development Officer Previous Year Papers: Attempt Now
HPPSC ADO Vacancy 2026
HPPSC has announced 23 backlog vacancies for Agriculture Development Officer posts. The vacancies are reserved for specific categories of Himachal Pradesh, including wards of Ex-Servicemen.
| Category | Vacancies |
| UR – Ward of Ex-Servicemen | 19 |
| SC of HP – Ward of Ex-Servicemen | 3 |
| OBC of HP – Ward of Ex-Servicemen | 1 |
| Total | 23 |
HPPSC ADO Important Dates 2026
The HPPSC Agriculture Development Officer application process begins on 25th September 2026. Candidates can submit their applications and pay the examination fee online until 22nd October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Date | 25th September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 25th September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22nd October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 22nd October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| HPPSC ADO Exam Date | To be announced |
HPPSC ADO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates applying for HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026 must fulfil the prescribed educational qualification, age limit and other conditions. Reservation benefits are available only to eligible bonafide residents of Himachal Pradesh.
HPPSC ADO Educational Qualification
Candidates must have:
- B.Sc. (Agriculture) under a four-year degree programme.
- M.Sc. (Agriculture) with at least Second Class from a college or university recognised by the State/Central Government or ICAR.
An M.Sc. (Agriculture) First Class or above is listed as a desirable qualification.
Candidates should also have knowledge of the customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for appointment under the conditions prevailing in the state.
HPPSC ADO Age Limit 2026
The age of candidates will be calculated as on 1 January 2026. The prescribed age range is 18 to 45 years.
A 5-year upper-age relaxation is available to eligible bonafide SC, ST, OBC, WFF and PwD candidates of Himachal Pradesh where the post is reserved for the respective category. Age relaxation for Himachal Pradesh Government employees and Ex-Servicemen will be applicable according to the relevant government instructions.
HPPSC ADO Application Form 2026
HPPSC ADO application form can be submitted online through the Commission’s One Time Registration (OTR) portal. Candidates should complete the registration, enter their educational and personal details, upload the required documents and pay the prescribed examination fee before the deadline.
The application process includes live photograph capture through the OTR portal. The photograph will be verified through face authentication at the examination centre.
HPPSC ADO Application Link: Click to Apply
How to Apply for HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026?
- Visit the official HPPSC website.
- Open the One Time Registration (OTR) portal.
- Complete the registration process, if not already registered.
- Select the HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026 application.
- Enter the required personal and educational details.
- Upload the prescribed documents.
- Complete the required live photograph process.
- Pay the Rs. 600 examination fee online.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and save the submitted application for future reference.
HPPSC ADO Application Fee 2026
The examination fee for HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026 is Rs. 600 for all candidates, irrespective of category or gender.
| Category | Application Fee |
| All Candidates | Rs. 600 |
HPPSC ADO Selection Process 2026
The HPPSC ADO selection process consists of a Screening Test/Written Examination and Personality Test. The written examination includes Paper-I and Paper-II. Candidates shortlisted based on the prescribed criteria are called for the Personality Test. Final merit will be prepared on Paper-II/SAT and the Personality Test, with a total of 150 marks.
HPPSC ADO Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper/Stage | Type | Duration | Marks |
| Paper-I | Objective Screening Test | 1 Hour | 100 |
| Paper-II | Descriptive Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) | 3 Hours | 120 |
| Personality Test | Interview/Personality Test | — | 30 |
| Final Merit | Paper-II + Personality Test | — | 150 |
HPPSC ADO Paper-I Syllabus
| Subject | Marks |
| General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh | 30 |
| General Knowledge of National & International Affairs | 30 |
| Hindi Language | 20 |
| English Language | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
HPPSC ADO Paper-II Syllabus
Paper-II is a descriptive Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) carrying 120 marks with a duration of 3 hours. The detailed syllabus is available through the Commission’s prescribed syllabus.
The minimum qualifying marks in Paper-II are 45% for General category candidates and 40% for reserved category candidates.
HPPSC ADO Negative Marking
The objective screening test has negative marking. Each question will have five options including an option for candidates who do not wish to attempt the question. For wrong answer, multiple marked answers or non-attempt (i.e., leaving a question unanswered without marking the prescribed option) a deduction of 0.25 mark (one-fourth) is made.
HPPSC ADO Personality Test 2026
The Personality Test carries 30 marks and is conducted at the Commission’s office in Shimla. The minimum qualifying marks are 40% for General category candidates and 30% for reserved category candidates.
The final merit list will be prepared out of 150 marks, comprising 120 marks for the SAT and 30 marks for the Personality Test.
HPPSC ADO Exam Centre 2026
The examination station/city is Shimla. However, CBT examination laboratories may be allotted at other locations within Himachal Pradesh depending on availability. Candidates must reach the examination venue within the prescribed reporting time, as entry will close 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination.
HPPSC ADO Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready while completing the application:
- Matriculation certificate for age proof
- B.Sc. Agriculture degree and mark sheets
- M.Sc. Agriculture degree and mark sheets
- Category certificate, wherever applicable
- Bonafide Himachali Certificate
- Dependent Certificate for eligible wards of Ex-Servicemen
- Required affidavit for Ex-Servicemen-related reservation
- Experience certificate, if applicable
- NOC from the employer, where applicable
HPPSC ADO Salary 2026
Selected candidates appointed as Agriculture Development Officers under the job trainee scheme will receive fixed monthly emoluments of Rs. 29,500. The engagement will be governed by the applicable Himachal Pradesh Government scheme for job trainees. Check the HPPSC Agriculture Development Officer salary and job profile in detail.
HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2026 FAQs
Ques: What is the HPPSC ADO selection process?
Ans: The selection process consists of a Paper-I objective screening test, Paper-II descriptive Subject Aptitude Test (SAT), and Personality Test. The final merit is based on 120 marks of SAT and 30 marks of the Personality Test.
Ques: Is there negative marking in the HPPSC ADO exam?
Ans: Yes! A 0.25-mark deduction applies in objective screening test for an incorrect answer, multiple answers, or failure to mark prescribed non-attempt option.
Ques: What are the monthly emoluments for HPPSC ADO?
Ans: The fixed monthly emoluments for the Agriculture Development Officer Job Trainee post are Rs. 29,500 per month.
Ques: Under which department are the ADO vacancies available?
Ans: ADO vacancies are available under the Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh.
Ques: Are these ADO vacancies regular or job trainees?
Ans: These ADO vacancies are considered to be Group-A (Job Trainee) vacancies. Their recruitment will be according to the Himachal Pradesh Government job trainee scheme.
Ques: Whose reservation is applicable in this HPPSC ADO recruitment process?
Ans: Reservations are available to eligible bonafide residents of Himachal Pradesh. Reserved category from outside Himachal Pradesh will be considered General Category for reservation purposes.