Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission has launched a recruitment process for the position of Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), Class-I (Gazetted), in the Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh. The job is attractively payable in between Rs. 48,700 to Rs. 1,54,300 (Pay Band Level 16) that is a dream position offered to any candidate. A total of 65 contracts are available in various categories.
The notification was published on December 31, 2024, and application procedure began simultaneously with the date of the notice. Online application forms are to be made available on the official website of HPPSC. The online applications with fees payment will be accepted up to January 27, 2025, before 11:59 PM.
HPPSC ADO Recruitment 2025
| Recruiting Body | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), Class-I |
| Number of Vacancies | 65 |
| Application Start Date | 31 December 2024 |
| Application End Date | 27 January 2025 |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | 27 January 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Job Location | Himachal Pradesh |
| Official Website | hppsc.hp.gov.in |
HPPSC ADO Vacancy 2025
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 22 |
| UR (Ortho Physically Handicapped of HP) | 01 |
| UR (Visually Impaired of HP) | 01 |
| R Ex-SM of HP (Ex-Servicemen of HP) | 18 |
| UR (Intellectual Disability or Multiple Disability of HP) | 01 |
| SC of HP (Scheduled Caste) | 06 |
| SC Hearing Impaired of HP | 01 |
| SC Ex-SM of HP (Ex-Servicemen of HP) | 03 |
| ST of HP (Scheduled Tribe) | 02 |
| ST Ex-SM of HP (Ex-Servicemen of HP) | 01 |
| OBC of HP (Other Backward Class) | 04 |
| OBC Ex-SM of HP (Ex-Servicemen of HP) | 01 |
| EWS of HP (Economically Weaker Section) | 04 |
| Total | 65 |
Agriculture Development Officer Educational Qualifications
The applicants to apply for the ADO post are required to satisfy the basic qualification requirements for higher education. It is mandatory to have completed the four-year B.Sc. in Agriculture and the two-year M.Sc. in Agriculture at a second class grade or its equivalent from an accepted university or college.
Preferred at first-class, M.Sc in Agriculture is concerned with the perfection of the applied field. Further, the proficiency in local Himachal language, customs and culture would not be harmful too, as here the candidates learn easily from the locals without any hesitation on the specific regional environment.
Age Limits
In that case, it is the Age limit of an Agriculture Development Officer which should be 45 as of January 1, 2024, and 5 year age relaxation of SC, ST, OBC, PWD, and WFF candidates would be provided according to Himachal Pradesh while ex-servicemen who could be provided on the basis of government rules of age relaxation also.
Class-I ADO Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General, General Physically Disabled, EWS | 600 |
| SC/ST/OBC (BPL) and Ex-Servicemen of H.P. (SC/ST/OBC) | 150 |
| Ex-Servicemen of H.P. completing normal tenure | No Fee |
| Female Candidates | No Fee |
Note: Debit/Credit Cards, UPI, or other electronic payment methods must be used to pay the charge online. The charge cannot be refunded once it has been paid.
Application Dates
- Application Start Date: December 31, 2024
- Application End Date: January 27, 2025, by 11:59 PM
Candidates must complete their applications within the prescribed time to avoid rejection.
Himachal Pradesh ADO Selection Process
The position selection process by ADO consists of various stages to accommodate the best possible candidates. The first one would be the screening test, either online or offline, consisting of objective-type questions. This test determines general knowledge related to Himachal Pradesh, national as well as international issues, and basic language skills in the English and Hindi languages.
The candidates who successfully pass the test are selected for the Subject Aptitude Test, commonly referred to as SAT. The descriptive exam measures a candidate’s depth of knowledge related to agricultural and auxiliary subjects to check their technical qualification for that particular job.
The last is the personality test to assess how suitable the candidates are in terms of communication skills and confidence for the position. Final selection is then based on an aggregate score for both aptitude and personality tests.
How to Apply Online for HPPSC ADO Class- I Recruitment 2025?
Use these procedures to apply for the post of Agriculture Development Officer:
- Visit the official HPPSC website at hppsc.hp.gov.in.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link on the homepage.
- Register through the “One-Time Registration (OTR)” portal or log in if you’re already registered.
- Complete the application form with accurate details.
- Upload the required documents, including a recent photograph and signature.
- Pay the application fee based on your category using the available online payment methods.
- Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference.
HPPSC ADO Exam pattern 2025
| Paper | Topics | Marks | Questions Type | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh | 30 Marks | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1 Hour |
| General Knowledge of National and International Affairs | 30 Marks | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | ||
| Knowledge of Hindi | 20 Marks | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | ||
| Knowledge of English | 20 Marks | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | ||
| Total | 100 Marks | |||
| Paper 2 | Subject-specific aptitude (Syllabus set by the Commission) | 120 Marks | Descriptive Subject Aptitude Test | 3 Hours |
FAQs
- What is the last date to apply?
- January 27, 2025, by 11:59 PM.
- What is the age limit?
- Maximum age: 45 years as of January 1, 2024.
- How to pay the application fee?
- Online via Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or digital payment methods.
- What is the selection process?
- Screening test, Subject Aptitude Test (SAT), and personality test.
- Is there age relaxation for reserved categories?
- Yes, 5 years of relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, PWD, and WFF candidates from Himachal Pradesh.
- What are the educational qualifications?
- B.Sc. in Agriculture (4 years) and M.Sc. in Agriculture with at least a second-class grade.
- Is the fee refundable?
- No, the fee is non-refundable.
- Can female candidates apply?
- Yes, and they do not need to pay the application fee.