APPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026 –  166 Vacancies, Apply Online, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Important Dates

The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released Notification No. 07/2026 dated 06 October 2026 for direct recruitment to various posts under Group-I Services. A total of 166 vacancies have been notified across different departments of the Andhra Pradesh Government. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official APPSC website from 06 October 2026 to 27 October 2026 up to 11:59 PM. 

The recruitment includes prestigious posts such as Deputy Collector, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Educational Officer, Regional Transport Officer, Deputy Registrar, Municipal Commissioner, Assistant Audit Officer and Divisional Development Officer.

APPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The notification states that applications must be submitted online through the Commission’s website during the prescribed application period. The Screening Test is scheduled for 24 January 2027, while the Main Examination dates will be announced later. 

APPSC Group 1 Vacancy 2026

APPSC has announced 166 vacancies for 13 different Group-I posts. The post-wise vacancy, age limit and pay scale are given below. 

Post-Wise Vacancy Details

APPSC Group 1 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates applying for APPSC Group-I Recruitment 2026 must satisfy the conditions prescribed in the notification. The basic eligibility conditions include citizenship, educational qualification, age and, wherever applicable, physical standards.

Educational Qualification

For most of the Group-I posts, candidates are required to possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or an equivalent qualification.

The notification specifies post-wise educational qualifications. For example, candidates applying for Post Code 04 – DSP (Communications) must possess B.E./B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering or Radio Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. 

Candidates should therefore verify the exact qualification applicable to the post they intend to select.

Age Limit

The age is calculated as on 01 July 2026.

The general age range is 18/21 years minimum and 30/44 years maximum, depending upon the post. DSP-related posts have specific age requirements. 

Age Relaxation

Candidates claiming reservation or age relaxation must possess the required certificates in the prescribed format.

Physical Requirements for Police Posts

Candidates applying for Post Codes 03 and 04 must satisfy prescribed physical and medical standards.

For Post Codes 03 and 04, the notification specifies minimum height and chest requirements for eligible candidates, with separate standards for ST candidates and women candidates. Medical and eyesight requirements are also prescribed for the police posts. 

Therefore, candidates interested in DSP posts should read the physical standards and medical examination provisions in the notification before applying.

APPSC Group 1 Selection Process 2026

The selection process consists of three major stages:

1. Screening Test
2. Main Written Examination
3. Interview / Personality Test

The Screening Test is an objective examination conducted for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination. APPSC states that candidates admitted to the Main Examination can be up to 50 times the number of vacancies, irrespective of community. 

Candidates must appear in all papers of the Screening Test. Similarly, appearance in all papers of the Main Examination is compulsory.

The final selection is based on merit in the Main Written Examination and Interview/Personality Test. 

APPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern 2026

Screening Test

The Screening Test contains two objective papers.

Paper-I – General Studies covers History and Culture, Constitution and Polity, Social Justice, International Relations, Indian and Andhra Pradesh Economy and Planning, and Geography.

Paper-II – General Aptitude covers General Mental Ability, Administrative and Psychological Abilities, Science & Technology and Current Events of regional, national and international importance. 

Negative Marking

There is a 1/3 negative marking for every wrong answer in the Screening Test. 

Main Examination Pattern

The Main Examination is descriptive in nature.

The Telugu and English papers are qualifying in nature and their marks are not counted for merit. The notification also allows candidates to choose English, Telugu or Urdu for the other Main Examination papers, subject to the prescribed conditions. 

After the Main Examination, eligible candidates are called for the Interview/Personality Test in a 1:2 ratio with reference to vacancies, subject to the prescribed rules. 

Minimum Qualifying Marks

The notification prescribes the following aggregate qualifying marks:

Merely securing the minimum qualifying marks does not guarantee selection. Candidates must secure the required rank and satisfy all other selection conditions. 

Application Fee

As specified in the notification:

Certain categories including SC, ST, BC, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and Ex-Servicemen, as well as eligible AP residents with a Household Supply White Card and eligible unemployed youth, are exempted from the examination fee subject to the conditions in the notification. 

The fee has to be paid online through the prescribed payment gateway using Net Banking, Credit Card or Debit Card. IPOs and Demand Drafts are not accepted. 

How to Apply for APPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026

Candidates should follow these steps:

Step 1 – OTPR Registration

Visit the APPSC official website and complete One Time Profile Registration (OTPR) if applying for the first time.

After registration, an OTPR/User ID will be generated.

Step 2 – Login

Login using the OTPR ID and password and select Online Application Submission.

Step 3 – Fill Application

Select Notification No. 07/2026 and click the application option.

Enter and verify details such as:

• Educational qualification
• Local/Non-local status
• Category
• Post preferences
• Examination centre
• Other required application details

Step 4 – Save & Submit

Candidates should carefully verify all information and click Save & Submit.

Simply saving the application does not complete the application process. The candidate must proceed through the payment process and successfully submit the application. 

Step 5 – Download Application

After successful submission and payment, a payment reference ID is generated and the candidate can download the completed application PDF for future reference.

Candidates should retain the application form and payment details until completion of the recruitment process.

Application Correction

APPSC provides an opportunity for corrections after the application deadline for a limited period. Corrections are permitted for up to 7 days from the last date of application, with a correction fee of ₹100 per correction, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.

Changes relating to name, fee and age relaxation are not enabled for correction. 

Important Dates

The Screening Test is specifically scheduled for 24 January 2027. APPSC will announce the Main Examination dates separately. 

Important Links

Documents/Details Candidates Should Keep Ready

Before starting the application process, candidates should keep the following details/documents ready as applicable:

• Aadhaar/valid identity details
• Educational qualification certificates
• Degree certificate/marks details
• Date of birth proof
• Community/Caste certificate
• Non-Creamy Layer certificate for eligible BC candidates
• EWS certificate, wherever applicable
• PBD certificate, wherever applicable
• Ex-Servicemen/NCC documents, wherever applicable
• Local/Study certificate
• Residence certificate wherever specifically applicable
• Recent photograph and signature/details required by the online application
• Active mobile number
• Active email ID
• Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking facility for online payment

Candidates claiming local candidature should pay particular attention to the study/residence certificate requirements specified by APPSC. 

The APPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for graduates seeking senior-level government positions in Andhra Pradesh. Through Notification No. 07/2026, APPSC has announced 166 vacancies across 13 Group-I posts, including Deputy Collector, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, DSP, District Educational Officer, Regional Transport Officer, Deputy Registrar, Municipal Commissioner and Divisional Development Officer. 

Interested candidates should first confirm their post-wise educational qualification, age eligibility, reservation status and physical requirements, wherever applicable. The application window is from 06 October 2026 to 27 October 2026, while the Screening Test is scheduled for 24 January 2027.

Since Group-I recruitment involves a Screening Test, descriptive Main Examination and Personality Test, candidates should begin preparation well in advance. The official notification, especially Annexures I to V, should be read carefully before submitting the application. 

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