The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has officially announced the Forest Section Officer (FSO) Exam Date for 2025. With the application process now closed, all registered candidates must focus on the upcoming mains examination, which is scheduled for 12 February and 13 February 2026. A total of 100 vacancies will be filled through this recruitment process.
This is a crucial period for aspirants to revise the syllabus, attempt previous year papers, and focus on mock tests to enhance speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Overview
APPSC released the FSO Notification 2025 on its official website. The recruitment aims to select candidates through a multi-stage selection process including preliminary and mains written exams, physical tests, and document verification.
APPSC FSO 2025
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Post Name | Forest Section Officer (FSO) |
| Total Vacancies | 100 |
| Exam Dates | 12 & 13 February 2026 |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Physical Test, Document Check |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation (specific streams) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 30 years |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
Schedule
The APPSC Forest Section Officer Mains Exam 2025 will be conducted over two days. Below is the detailed subject-wise schedule:
FSO Mains Exam Schedule 2025
| Date | Subject | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 12 February 2026 | General English & Telugu | 9:30 AM to 11:10 AM |
| 12 February 2026 | General Studies & Mental Ability | 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM |
| 13 February 2026 | Mathematics | 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| 13 February 2026 | General Forestry | 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM |
Vacancies
There are 100 vacancies in total, including both fresh and carried-forward positions.
| Post Name | Fresh Vacancies | Carried Forward | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Section Officer | 70 | 30 | 100 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 22 July 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 28 July 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 17 August 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 29 August 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 07 September 2025 |
| Mains Exam Date | 12-13 February 2026 |
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a graduate degree in any of the following:
- Botany
- Forestry
- Horticulture
- Civil/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years (as on 1 July 2025)
- Age Relaxation: Up to 10 years for SC/ST in carried forward vacancies
Physical Standards
| Category | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) with Expansion |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 163 | 84 + 5 |
| Women | 150 | 79 + 5 |
Application Fees
| Category | Application Fee + Exam Fee | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UR, Other State Candidates | Rs. 250 + Rs. 80 | Rs. 330 |
| SC, ST, BC, White Card Holders | Rs. 250 | Rs. 250 |
Payment can be made online via Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking.
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Studies & Mental Ability | 75 | 75 | 150 minutes |
| Part B | General Forestry | 75 | 75 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
- Each question carries 1 mark.
- Negative marking: -1/3 for every wrong answer.
Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General English & Telugu (Qualifying) | 100 | 100 | 100 minutes |
| Paper 1: General Studies & Mental Ability | 150 | 150 | 150 minutes |
| Paper 2: Mathematics | 150 | 150 | 150 minutes |
| Paper 3: General Forestry | 150 | 150 | 150 minutes |
Note: Only candidates who qualify the English & Telugu paper will have their mains papers evaluated.
Selection Process
The selection will be based on:
- Preliminary Exam (Screening Test)
- Main Written Exam
- Physical Examination (Walking Test + Medical Check)
- Document Verification
Final merit will be determined by marks secured in the written exam by candidates who qualify the physical test.
Salary
Selected candidates will receive a pay scale of Rs. 32,670 to Rs. 1,01,970 along with allowances like:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- Travel Allowance (TA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Risk and Uniform Allowances
Candidates should focus on consistent preparation and refer to the official syllabus and previous year’s papers to improve their chances in the APPSC FSO Mains Exam.
FAQs
What is the APPSC FSO Mains Exam Date?
The exam is scheduled for 12 and 13 February 2026.
How many vacancies are there for APPSC FSO 2025?
There are 100 total vacancies, including 30 carried forward.
What is the age limit for APPSC FSO?
Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years old.
Is there negative marking in prelims?
Yes, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
What is the salary of Forest Section Officer?
Rs. 32,670 to Rs. 1,01,970 with allowances.
