APPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 166 Deputy Collector, DSP, Assistant Audit Officer and Other Posts
Application starts: 6 October 2026
Last date: 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), Vijayawada has issued Notification No. 07/2026 dated 6 October 2026 for direct recruitment to Group-I Services. A total of 166 vacancies are spread across 13 categories of posts, including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Educational Officer, Assistant Audit Officer and Divisional Development Officer. Graduates can apply, and for most posts the age limit is 18 to 44 years. Applications are accepted only online at psc.ap.gov.in.
166Total posts
27 Oct 2026Last date, 11:59 PM
₹250 – ₹370Total fee as per category
18-44 yearsAge (as on 1 July 2026)
APPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), Vijayawada |
| Notification No. | 07/2026, dated 6 October 2026 |
| Recruitment type | Direct recruitment to Group-I Services |
| Total vacancies | 166 (13 post categories) |
| Screening test | Objective type, offline (OMR) |
| Main exam | Descriptive type |
| Mode of application | Online only |
| Official website | psc.ap.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 6 October 2026 |
| Online application starts | 6 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Correction window | Up to 7 days after the last date (₹100 per correction) |
| Age counted as on | 1 July 2026 |
| Screening test | 24 January 2027 (tentative) |
| Main exam | To be announced on psc.ap.gov.in |
Post-wise Vacancy, Age and Pay Scale
| Code | Post | Vacancies | Age | Pay scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Deputy Collector (A.P. Civil Service, Executive Branch) | 12 | 18-44 | 61,960 – 1,51,370 |
| 02 | Assistant Commissioner of State Tax | 14 | 18-44 | 61,960 – 1,51,370 |
| 03 | Deputy Superintendent of Police (Civil), Cat-2 | 36 (incl. 3 carried forward) | 21-30 | 61,960 – 1,51,370 |
| 04 | DSP (Communications), A.P. Police Service | 3 | 18-30 | 61,960 – 1,51,370 |
| 05 | District Educational Officer | 14 | 18-44 | 61,960 – 1,51,370 |
| 06 | Regional Transport Officer | 3 | 18-44 | 57,100 – 1,47,760 |
| 07 | District Tribal Welfare Officer | 1 | 18-44 | 57,100 – 1,47,760 |
| 08 | Deputy Registrar (Cooperative Service) | 16 (incl. 1 carried forward) | 18-44 | 57,100 – 1,47,760 |
| 09 | Municipal Commissioner Grade-II | 12 | 18-44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 10 | Assistant Treasury Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer | 2 | 18-44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 11 | District Employment Officer | 3 (incl. 1 carried forward) | 18-44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 12 | Assistant Audit Officer (State Audit Service) | 15 | 18-44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 13 | Divisional Development Officer (Panchayat Raj) | 35 | 18-44 | 65,360 – 1,54,980 |
| Total | 166 |
Carried-forward (CF) vacancies are filled first, before fresh vacancies. Vacancy numbers can change if the departments report changes, and any addition is accepted only before the screening test date. For the community-wise break-up, see Annexure-I of the official notification.
Educational Qualification
- Post codes 01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 12: Bachelor's degree from an Indian university recognised under a Central/State Act or by the UGC, or an equivalent qualification.
- Post codes 02, 06, 08, 10: A degree from a university in India set up under a Central or State Act, or an equivalent qualification.
- Post code 04 (DSP Communications): B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication or Radio Engineering from a recognised institution.
- Post code 11: Bachelor's degree from an Indian university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the UGC.
- Post code 13: Bachelor's degree recognised by the UGC.
Your qualification must be in hand on the date of the detailed notification. Candidates must be Indian citizens of good character and sound health.
Physical Standards (Post Codes 03 and 04)
- Men: height at least 167.6 cm and chest at least 86.3 cm on full inspiration, with 5 cm expansion. For ST candidates: 164 cm height and 83.8 cm chest.
- Women: height at least 152.5 cm and weight at least 45.5 kg.
- Vision standards are given separately for each post in the notification (see Annexure-V).
Age Limit and Relaxation
Age is counted as on 1 July 2026. The minimum is 18 years (21 for DSP Civil) and the maximum is 44 years (30 for the two DSP posts).
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC, ST, BC and EWS | 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Length of service plus 3 years |
| NCC Instructors | Length of service in NCC |
| Regular A.P. State Government employees | Length of regular service, up to 5 years |
| Retrenched temporary staff, State Census Department (minimum 6 months) | 3 years |
Application Fee
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application processing fee (all applicants) | ₹250 |
| Examination fee (non-exempt categories) | ₹120 |
Exempt from the ₹120 exam fee: SC, ST, BC, persons with benchmark disabilities and ex-servicemen; families holding a White Ration Card in Andhra Pradesh; and unemployed youth as per the stated G.O. (a declaration is required).
Applicants from other states (except PBD and ex-servicemen) get no fee exemption or reservation. The fee is paid online by net banking, credit card or debit card and is non-refundable. DDs and IPOs are not accepted.
Selection Process
- Screening test (objective, OMR)
- Main written examination (descriptive)
- Interview / personality test
Screening Test Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies (history & culture, polity, economy & planning, geography) | 120 | 120 min | 120 |
| Paper-II | General Aptitude (mental ability, science & technology, current events) | 120 | 120 min | 120 |
You must attend both papers. Each wrong answer costs one-third of the marks of that question. Candidates equal to 50 times the vacancies move on to the main exam.
Main Examination Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | Telugu (180 min) | 150 (qualifying) |
| Qualifying | English (180 min) | 150 (qualifying) |
| Paper-I | General Essay | 150 |
| Paper-II | History, Culture and Geography of India and A.P. | 150 |
| Paper-III | Polity, Constitution, Governance, Law and Ethics | 150 |
| Paper-IV | Indian and A.P. Economy and Development | 150 |
| Paper-V | Science, Technology and Environmental Issues | 150 |
| Interview | Personality test | 75 |
| Total (merit) | 825 |
- Telugu and English papers are qualifying only, and their marks are not counted for merit. Minimum marks: 40% for OC/Sports/EWS, 35% for BC, and 30% for SC/ST/PBD.
- Aggregate qualifying marks: 40% (OC, Sports, EWS), 35% (BC), 30% (SC, ST, PBD).
- Papers other than Telugu and English can be written in English, Telugu or Urdu, but the same medium must be used for all five.
- Interview candidates are called in the ratio 1:2 against vacancies.
- The screening test is held at 26 district centres. The main exam is held at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Ananthapuramu.
How to Apply Online
- Open psc.ap.gov.in. New users must first complete the One Time Profile Registration (OTPR). OTPR alone is not an application.
- Log in with your OTPR ID and password, choose "Online Application Submission" and click "Fill Application" against Notification No. 07/2026.
- Fill in local/non-local status, white card details, qualifications, post preferences and exam centre. Use "Save & Submit" to move to payment. "Save" alone does not complete the application.
- Check the fee and age-relaxation details, then pay online. A payment reference ID and an SMS arrive after success.
- If payment fails, start the payment step again.
- Corrections are allowed for 7 days after the last date for ₹100 each (name, fee and age-relaxation fields cannot be changed). Download and keep the application PDF.
Important Instructions
- Applications by any mode other than online are not accepted.
- BC candidates need a non-creamy layer certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026. EWS candidates need an income-based certificate for FY 2025-26 issued by a Tahsildar-rank authority on or after 1 April 2026.
- Local reservation applies to post codes 01-03 and 05-13 (not post code 04, a State cadre post), with 95% local reservation as per the Presidential Order.
- False information can lead to rejection and a ban of up to five years from APPSC exams.
- Mobile phones, calculators, smart watches and any electronic devices are banned in the exam hall.
- There will be no waiting list. Objections to the screening test key must be filed within 3 days, at ₹100 per objection (refunded if valid).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the last date for APPSC Group 1 2026?
You can apply up to 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM. Applications started on 6 October 2026.
How many vacancies are there?
There are 166 vacancies across 13 categories of posts.
What is the qualification?
A bachelor's degree in any stream for most posts. DSP (Communications) needs a B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication or Radio Engineering.
What is the age limit?
18 to 44 years for most posts, 21 to 30 for DSP (Civil) and 18 to 30 for DSP (Communications), as on 1 July 2026.
What is the fee?
₹250 processing fee for everyone, plus ₹120 exam fee unless you are in an exempt category.
When is the screening test?
It is tentatively planned for 24 January 2027. The main exam dates will be announced later.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, in the screening test one-third of the question's marks is deducted for each wrong answer.
Note: This information is prepared from the official APPSC notification. Please read the full notification once, especially Annexures I and V, before applying.
