APPSC Group-I Services Notification No. 07/2026 is open for 166 posts across 13 categories, including Deputy Collector, DSP, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax and Divisional Development Officer. Apply online till 27 October 2026 on the APPSC portal (portal-psc.ap.gov.in / psc.ap.gov.in). Screening Test: 24 January 2027.
APPSC Group-I Services Notification No. 07/2026 is open for 166 posts across 13 categories, including Deputy Collector, DSP, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax and Divisional Development Officer. Apply online till 27 October 2026 (11:59 PM). The Screening Test is on 24 January 2027.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification | APPSC Group-I Services, No. 07/2026 (detailed, 6 Oct 2026) |
| Total posts | 166 (incl. 5 carried-forward) |
| Pay scale | ₹54,060 – ₹1,54,980 (post-wise) |
| Apply online | 06 Oct – 27 Oct 2026 (till 11:59 PM) |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (specific for DSP Communications) |
| Age (as on 01.07.2026) | 18–44; DSP Civil 21–30; DSP Comm. 18–30 |
| Selection | Screening Test → Mains → Interview |
| Screening Test | 24 January 2027 (offline OMR) |
| Official website | psc.ap.gov.in |
Key Dates
- 15 Sep 2026 – Brief notification
- 6 Oct 2026 – Detailed notification; applications open
- 13 Oct 2026 – Addendum to 07, 08 & 19/2026 published (read it on the APPSC site)
- 27 Oct 2026, 11:59 PM – Last date to apply
- 24 Jan 2027 – Screening Test (offline OMR)
- Main Examination – Dates to be announced
Vacancies, Age & Salary (Post-wise)
| Code | Post | Posts | 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 (3 CF) | 21–30 | 61,960 – 1,51,370 |
| 04 | DSP (Communications) | 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 | 16 (1 CF) | 18–44 | 57,100 – 1,47,760 |
| 09 | Municipal Commissioner Grade-II | 12 | 18–44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 10 | Assistant Treasury / Accounts Officer | 2 | 18–44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 11 | District Employment Officer | 3 (1 CF) | 18–44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 12 | Assistant Audit Officer, State Audit | 15 | 18–44 | 54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| 13 | Divisional Development Officer, Panchayat Raj | 35 | 18–44 | 65,360 – 1,54,980 |
| Total | 166 |
CF = carried forward from an earlier recruitment. Community, State-wide, Multi-Zone and Zone rows are in Annexure-I of the notification. The brief said 163 posts; the detailed notification raised it to 166.
Eligibility
- Education (all posts except DSP Communications): a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- DSP (Communications): B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication or Radio Engineering.
- Crucial date: hold the qualification on 6 October 2026 (date of the detailed notification).
- Age (as on 1 July 2026): 18–44 for most posts; DSP Civil 21–30; DSP Communications 18–30. Relaxation for SC, ST, BC, EWS, PBD, Ex-servicemen and AP State Government employees as in the notification.
- Physical standards (DSP posts only): Men – height at least 167.6 cm, chest 86.3 cm with 5 cm expansion (ST: 164 cm / 83.8 cm). Women – height at least 152.5 cm, weight at least 45.5 kg. Vision standards apply (see the notification).
Salary
Pay scales range from ₹54,060 – ₹1,40,540 (Municipal Commissioner Gr-II, ATO/AAO, DEO, AAO) up to ₹65,360 – ₹1,54,980 (Divisional Development Officer). Deputy Collector, DSP and AC State Tax are on ₹61,960 – ₹1,51,370.
Selection Process
- Screening Test (objective, offline OMR) on 24 January 2027 – shortlisting only; marks do not count for final merit. Candidates are called to Mains at about 50 times the vacancies.
- Main Examination (descriptive) – Telugu and English qualifying papers + Papers I–V (150 each) = 750 marks for merit.
- Interview (Personality Test) – 75 marks. Candidates are called at a 1:2 ratio to vacancies.
- Final merit = Mains Papers I–V + Interview = 825.
Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Screening Test (objective, OMR)
| Paper | Parts | Qs / Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I – General Studies | A. History & Culture · B. Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & IR · C. Indian & AP Economy · D. Geography (30 marks each) | 120 / 120 | 120 min |
| Paper II – General Aptitude | A. General Mental Ability & Administrative/Psychological Abilities (60) · B(i) S&T (30) · B(ii) Current events (30) | 120 / 120 | 120 min |
Negative marking: 1/3 of the marks for that question for each wrong answer. You must appear for both papers.
Stage 2: Main Examination (descriptive)
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Telugu | Qualifying | 150 |
| English | Qualifying | 150 |
| Paper I | General Essay (contemporary regional, national, international themes) | 150 |
| Paper II | History, Culture and Geography of India and Andhra Pradesh | 150 |
| Paper III | Polity, Constitution, Governance, Law and Ethics | 150 |
| Paper IV | Economy and Development of India and Andhra Pradesh | 150 |
| Paper V | Science, Technology and Environmental Issues | 150 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 |
| Total for merit | Papers I–V + Interview | 825 |
Each Mains paper is 180 minutes. Telugu and English are qualifying (minimum OC/EWS/Sportspersons 40%, BC 35%, SC/ST/PBD 30%). Papers I–V can be written in English, Telugu or Urdu, but you must use one medium throughout.
Syllabus Outline
Screening: History & Culture (Indus to freedom struggle, AP dynasties); Polity; Economy (India and AP after bifurcation); Geography; Mental Ability; Science & Technology; current events.
Mains: Essay; History, Culture & Geography of India and AP; Polity, Governance, Law & Ethics; Economy of India and AP; S&T and Environment. Full syllabus is in Annexure-II of the official PDF.
Practise: AP History MCQs · Group-1 topic-wise MCQs · Indian Polity · AP Economy · Current affairs
Certificates needed (read carefully)
Do not wait until after Mains or selection. If you claim SC / ST / BC / EWS / PBD (or related fee / age relief), Notification 07/2026 says you must already possess the required certificates in the prescribed format by the application closing date (27 October 2026). You produce them when APPSC calls for certificate verification — failing then can cost the reservation benefit or the candidature.
Year rules that are written clearly: For BC Non-Creamy Layer and EWS, the certificate must be based on FY 2025-2026 and issued on or after 1 April 2026, and not later than the closing date of this application. That is the income-year window — not “get it after you qualify.”
Online apply asks you to declare community, local status, White Card, etc. The form is not the certificate. Keep originals ready for verification. Formats are on psc.ap.gov.in (Annexure-III).
| Certificate | When needed | What to check (year / validity) |
|---|---|---|
| EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) | Claim at apply · produce at certificate verification | Must be based on family income of FY 2025-2026; digital certificate from Tahsildar; issued on/after 1 Apr 2026 and by 27 Oct 2026 (closing date). Gross annual family income below ₹8 lakh; not covered under SC/ST/BC reservations. |
| BC Non-Creamy Layer | Claim at apply · produce at verification | From Tahsildar; issued on/after 1 Apr 2026 (after FY 2025-2026) and by closing date 27 Oct 2026. Without it on verification day → no BC reservation benefit. |
| Community / caste (SC / ST / BC) | Claim at apply · produce at all selection stages with other docs | Revenue certificate not below Tahsildar, in your name (with parent/guardian as applicable). Must be in your possession by 27 Oct 2026 if you claim reservation/relaxation. The PDF does not add a separate “calendar-year 2026 only” line for SC/ST beyond this possession rule — follow the format on the APPSC site. Other-State SC/ST/BC/EWS are not entitled to AP reservation. |
| Nativity / local status (Study I–VII or Residence; Local Status Certificate if applicable) | Declare Local/Non-Local in application · produce when required / at verification | Study certificates Class I to VII (or Residence only if you never studied in an educational institution). If you studied in schools/colleges, residence certificate will not be accepted — use study certificates. Local Status Certificate from competent authority when applicable. |
| Disability (PBD) | Claim at apply · produce at verification | Benchmark disability: generally ≥ 40% as certified by the medical authority (hearing has special dB rules). Use APPSC medical certificate formats. Some posts restrict disability categories — check the notification for your post code. |
| Ex-Servicemen (service / discharge proof) | Claim age relaxation / fee relief at apply · produce when called | No separate “issue year” window is written like EWS/NCL. Keep discharge / service documents ready for verification. Age relief: deduct length of service + 3 years (as in para 5.2). |
| White Card (Household Supply, Civil Supplies, A.P.) | For ₹120 exam-fee exemption · declare in application | Must be a valid AP Civil Supplies Household Supply White Card (AP residents). Other-State White Card claimants are not entitled to this exemption (except PBD & Ex-Servicemen rules as notified). |
| Educational certificates (degree / marks) | Declare qualification at apply · produce at verification | You must already hold the prescribed degree as on 6 October 2026 (date of detailed notification). Distance/Open University degrees need proper recognition (see notification). |
| Age / DOB proof (often with Community–Nativity–DOB format) | Age calculated in application · produce at verification | Age limits are as on 1 July 2026. APPSC lists a combined Community, Nativity and Date of Birth certificate format on psc.ap.gov.in — keep SSC/birth proof consistent with OTPR. |
| Unemployed youth declaration (fee exemption) | Claim at apply · submit declaration when asked | Format on Commission website; submit at appropriate time as directed. |
Always match the latest PDF on psc.ap.gov.in (Notification 07/2026). This table is a reading aid, not a substitute for the official notification.
How to Apply Online (psc.ap.gov.in)
To apply online for APPSC Group 1 2026 (Notification 07/2026), use only the official APPSC websites — not third-party forms:
- Application portal: portal-psc.ap.gov.in (Online Application Submission)
- Commission site / PDFs: psc.ap.gov.in
- New users: register OTPR first at otpr-psc.ap.gov.in (OTPR alone is not an application)
Window: 6 October 2026 – 27 October 2026, 11:59 PM. Apply online on the APPSC portal (portal-psc.ap.gov.in) before the deadline.
- Register on OTPR if you are new.
- Log in on portal-psc.ap.gov.in / psc.ap.gov.in → Online Application Submission → Notification 07/2026.
- Enter local/non-local status, qualification, post preferences and centres (3 for Screening; 1 for Mains: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati or Ananthapuramu).
- Pay online: ₹250 application processing fee (all candidates) + ₹120 examination fee. Exempt from the ₹120: SC, ST, BC, PBD, Ex-servicemen, AP White Card holders, and unemployed youth (by declaration). Other-State candidates pay both and cannot claim reservation.
- Click Save & Submit (Save alone does not submit), then download the application PDF. Corrections run for 7 days after the last date at ₹100 a field (Name, fee and age relaxation cannot be corrected).
Previous Papers & Preparation
Solve APPSC PYQs with Telugu explanation and Group-1 topic-wise MCQs. AP History carries weight in both Screening and Mains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for APPSC Group 1 2026?
27 October 2026, till 11:59 PM. Applications opened on 6 October 2026.
How many vacancies are in APPSC Group 1 2026?
166 posts across 13 categories (including 5 carried-forward). The brief notification said 163; the detailed notification raised it to 166.
When is the APPSC Group 1 Screening Test 2027?
24 January 2027, in offline OMR mode.
Do Screening Test marks count for final selection?
No. The Screening Test only shortlists candidates for the Mains (about 50 times the vacancies). Final merit is Mains Papers I–V (750) plus Interview (75) = 825.
What is the age limit for APPSC Group 1?
18–44 years as on 1 July 2026 for most posts. DSP (Civil) is 21–30; DSP (Communications) is 18–30.
What is the qualification for DSP (Communications)?
B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication or Radio Engineering.
What is the application fee?
₹250 application processing fee for all candidates, plus ₹120 examination fee. SC, ST, BC, PBD, Ex-servicemen, White Card holders and unemployed youth (by declaration) are exempt from the ₹120 exam fee.
Where do I apply online for APPSC Group 1 2026?
Apply online only on the official APPSC portal at portal-psc.ap.gov.in (Online Application Submission). Use psc.ap.gov.in for notifications and PDFs. New candidates must complete OTPR at otpr-psc.ap.gov.in first.
Is psc.ap.gov.in the same as portal-psc.ap.gov.in?
Both are official APPSC sites. psc.ap.gov.in hosts notifications and documents; portal-psc.ap.gov.in is where you submit the Group 1 online application. Always start from the Commission’s own links — never pay on an unofficial site.
Is a coaching institute or social media page the official APPSC apply site?
No. APPSC does not take Group 1 applications on coaching websites, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp or news pages. Apply only on the Commission’s own sites: portal-psc.ap.gov.in (Online Application Submission) and psc.ap.gov.in (notifications & PDFs). New candidates complete OTPR at otpr-psc.ap.gov.in first. Other sites can explain the notification, but they are not the application form — never enter OTPR login or pay a fee on an unofficial link.
How do I know an “APPSC Group 1 apply online” link is genuine?
Check the address bar: it must be portal-psc.ap.gov.in or psc.ap.gov.in (or otpr-psc.ap.gov.in for registration). PSC Chronicles only explains the steps and points you to those official portals — we do not host the application form.
Do EWS or income certificates have to be of the notification year?
For APPSC Group 1 Notification 07/2026, the EWS certificate must be based on income for financial year 2025-2026, issued by a Tahsildar in digital format on or after 1 April 2026, and not later than the application closing date (27 October 2026). BC candidates need a Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the same issue-date window. Do not wait until after the exams — if you claim EWS/BC, you must already possess these by the closing date and produce them at certificate verification.
When do I need caste / community and other certificates — at apply or after selection?
At apply you declare your category, local status, White Card, etc. If you claim SC/ST/BC/EWS/PBD reservation or relaxation, the notification says you must be in possession of the requisite certificates by the closing date of the application. You produce them when the Commission calls for certificate verification (and community proof at selection stages). Failure to produce can mean loss of reservation benefit or rejection. Educational qualification must already be held as on 6 October 2026.
Related Notifications
An addendum covering 07, 08 and 19/2026 was published on 13 October 2026. Read it on the APPSC site before locking post preferences. Always confirm on psc.ap.gov.in before applying.