Official Corrigendum Update: MPSC Group-C Combined Examination 2026 (Advt No. 017/2026)
As of 11 November 2026, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has officially published a crucial corrigendum dated 06 November 2026 expanding the Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 to 16,717 total vacancies across 27 state post categories. This mega expansion includes 1,203 Assistant Agriculture Officer (सहाय्यक कृषी अधिकारी) posts in the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department. The fresh online application and cadre-option window opens on 13 November 2026 (2:00 PM) and closes on 27 November 2026 (11:59 PM), with online fee payment accepted until 30 November 2026. The preliminary examination is scheduled for 24 January 2027.
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has officially included 1,203 Assistant Agriculture Officer (सहाय्यक कृषी अधिकारी) vacancies in the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department as part of the Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 under Advertisement No. 017/2026. It is essential to understand that this recruitment forms an integral cadre of the larger 16,717-post Group-C examination—not an independently advertised standalone drive unless MPSC issues a separate notification. Eligible candidates holding prescribed agricultural degrees must verify official cadre annexures, check age criteria, and submit or update their cadre preferences through the MPSC application system before the revised cut-off dates.
MPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
Below is the verified recruitment profile for the Assistant Agriculture Officer post, based on official MPSC announcements and the corrigendum dated 06 November 2026:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC / महाराष्ट्र लोकसेवा आयोग) |
| Recruitment Name | Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 |
| Post Name (English) | Assistant Agriculture Officer |
| Marathi Post Name | सहाय्यक कृषी अधिकारी (Group-C Technical Cadre) |
| Vacancies for This Post | 1,203 Posts |
| Advertisement Number | 017/2026 (Subject to Corrigendum dated 06 November 2026) |
| Administrative Department | Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department (कृषी, पशुसंवर्धन, दुग्धव्यवसाय विकास व मत्स्यव्यवसाय विभाग) |
| Total Vacancies Across Group-C | 16,717 Posts (Original 5,707 + 11,010 Additional Vacancies across 27 Cadres) |
| Application Mode | Online through MPSC Online Application System (mpsconline.gov.in) |
| Fresh Application Window Opens | 13 November 2026 at 2:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 November 2026 at 11:59 PM |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM |
| Revised Preliminary Examination Date | 24 January 2027 |
| Job Location | Maharashtra (subject to applicable cadre, division, and appointment rules) |
| Official Website | mpsc.gov.in |
| Official Application Portal | mpsconline.gov.in/candidate/login |
Important Distinction: Assistant Agriculture Officer vs Krushi Sevak
Candidates and job seekers should not describe this recruitment as “Krushi Sevak Recruitment 2026 — 1,203 vacancies” unless an official notification specifically designates the posts as Krushi Sevak.
- The recruitment category officially notified in MPSC's corrigendum is Assistant Agriculture Officer (सहाय्यक कृषी अधिकारी).
- In Maharashtra administration, “Krushi Sevak” and “Assistant Agriculture Officer” represent distinct cadre structures and service rules and should not automatically be treated as interchangeable job titles.
- Always refer to the precise Marathi and English designations in MPSC Advertisement No. 017/2026 when submitting preferences or verifying qualification norms.
MPSC Group-C Recruitment 2026: What Changed in the 06 November Corrigendum?
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission released a comprehensive corrigendum dated 06 November 2026 modifying the scope, cadre inclusions, and timeline for Advertisement No. 017/2026. Here are the core structural updates candidates need to know:
1. Massive Expansion of Vacancies
The overall Group-C recruitment expanded from the initial 5,707 vacancies to a mammoth 16,717 vacancies across 27 distinct post categories. The Assistant Agriculture Officer cadre contributes 1,203 positions to this total.
2. Fresh Application Window Reopened
Because multiple new cadres were inducted into the combined examination, MPSC reopened a fresh application and option-selection window from 13 November 2026 (2:00 PM) to 27 November 2026 (11:59 PM).
3. Preliminary Exam Rescheduled
To accommodate candidates registering during the reopened window and integrate the revised candidate roster, the preliminary screening examination has been rescheduled to 24 January 2027.
4. Facility for Previously Registered Applicants
Candidates who previously applied under Advt 017/2026 do not need to register anew. They can log in to check newly added eligible cadres (including Agriculture) and submit additional options without paying duplicate basic charges.
Assistant Agriculture Officer Vacancy 2026: 1,203 Posts
The reported vacancy count for Assistant Agriculture Officer is 1,203 posts. These vacancies form part of the Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026. The wider recruitment includes diverse posts across multiple state departments, so the 16,717 aggregate must not be confused with the agriculture officer cadre alone.
| Recruitment Post | Sanctioned Vacancies | Cadre Context |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Agriculture Officer (सहाय्यक कृषी अधिकारी) | 1,203 Posts | Department of Agriculture, Govt of Maharashtra |
| Tax Assistant (कर सहायक) | 282 Posts | Finance Department |
| Other Group-C Cadres (Clerk-Typist, Technical, Excise, etc.) | 15,232 Posts | Across 25+ Administrative Cadres |
| Total Group-C Combined Vacancies | 16,717 Posts | Advt No. 017/2026 (Including 6 Nov Corrigendum) |
Educational Qualification for Assistant Agriculture Officer
Candidates must strictly satisfy the educational qualifications prescribed for the Assistant Agriculture Officer cadre in the applicable MPSC advertisement and corrigendum annexures.
What Candidates Must Check Before Applying
- Prescribed Degree/Diploma: Candidates generally require a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture (B.Sc. Agriculture), Horticulture (B.Sc. Horticulture), Agricultural Engineering (B.Tech Agri), Agricultural Biotechnology, or equivalent recognized disciplines as specifically outlined in the official cadre recruitment rules.
- Discipline Equivalence: Do not assume that any general science degree or unrelated agricultural diploma is automatically acceptable. The exact qualification clause in the official notification takes statutory precedence over third-party summaries.
- Cut-Off Date: The qualifying examination must have been successfully passed, and marksheets/provisional degree issued on or before the prescribed cut-off date specified in Advertisement No. 017/2026.
- Equivalence Certificates: If claiming equivalence, ensure you possess valid government resolutions (GR) or university equivalence certificates recognized by the Government of Maharashtra.
Age Limit & Relaxation Criteria
The applicable age limits and cut-off calculation dates are governed by the statutory rules of the Maharashtra Group-C Combined Services Examination and recent state government decisions:
- Reference Date: Age calculation is based on the reference cut-off date prescribed in the original advertisement (typically 01 October 2026 or as updated in the corrigendum).
- General / Unreserved: Minimum 18 or 19 years; maximum age limit generally 38 years.
- Backward Classes / Reserved: Upper age limit relaxed up to 43 years for SC, ST, OBC, VJ/NT, SBC, and EWS candidates.
- PwBD (Divyang) Candidates: Upper age relaxation permissible up to 45 years.
- Government Resolution (GR) on Age Relaxation: The revised recruitment incorporates age-relaxation decisions reported in connection with the Group-C examination. Candidates on the age threshold should carefully verify whether the one-time age relaxation applies to their birth date window.
Important Application Dates & Timeline
The revised schedule reported for MPSC Group-C Recruitment 2026 and the Assistant Agriculture Officer cadre is summarized below:
| Recruitment Event | Date and Time | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MPSC Corrigendum Issued | 06 November 2026 | Published |
| Fresh Application & Cadre Option Window Opens | 13 November 2026 at 2:00 PM | Window Starts |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application / Cadre Preferences | 27 November 2026 at 11:59 PM | Final Cut-Off |
| Last Date for Online Examination Fee Payment | 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM | Payment Cut-Off |
| Revised Preliminary Examination Date | 24 January 2027 (Sunday) | Scheduled |
| Preliminary Admit Card Release | 7 to 10 days before the exam | Upcoming |
How to Apply for MPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026
Applications are handled exclusively through the MPSC online application system at mpsconline.gov.in. Follow this step-by-step procedure:
Step 1: Open the Official MPSC Portal
Visit the official commission portal (mpsc.gov.in) and open the advertisement section.
Step 2: Read Advertisement No. 017/2026 & Corrigenda
Locate the Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 advertisement and the 06 November 2026 corrigendum. Read the cadre-specific annexures for Assistant Agriculture Officer before applying.
Step 3: Access the MPSC Online Application System
Go to mpsconline.gov.in/candidate/login. Log in with your existing credentials, or complete registration if you are a first-time user.
Step 4: Check Eligibility & Update Profile
Verify your academic profile, ensuring your agricultural degree details, marksheets, and reservation certificates are up to date in the profile system.
Step 5: Select Cadre Preferences (Fresh vs. Existing Applicants)
Fresh Applicants: Select Advertisement No. 017/2026 and tick Assistant Agriculture Officer (सहाय्यक कृषी अधिकारी).
Existing Applicants: Log in to your candidate dashboard, open your existing Advt 017/2026 application, and use the cadre re-check feature to add Assistant Agriculture Officer. Do not create duplicate accounts.
Step 6: Pay the Applicable Fee
Deposit the required examination fee through the online gateway before 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Step 7: Review & Download Confirmation
Carefully inspect your submitted preferences and save the application confirmation PDF and fee receipt for future reference.
Application Fee Details
The fee payable depends on candidate category and whether the candidate is submitting a fresh application or updating cadre preferences under the revised corrigendum rules.
Selection Process & Stages
- Stage 1: Preliminary Screening Exam: Common objective examination (Group-C Combined) scheduled for 24 January 2027.
- Stage 2: Main Examination / Cadre Test: Post-specific or combined Mains examination as prescribed in the cadre recruitment rules.
- Stage 3: Document Verification & Eligibility Checks: Scrutiny of agricultural degree certificates, domicile, and category validity.
- Stage 4: Final Appointment: Recommendation to the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries Department based on merit and vacancy quotas.
Salary and Pay Scale for Assistant Agriculture Officer
The exact pay scale for Assistant Agriculture Officer should be verified from the applicable official advertisement, vacancy annexure, and departmental recruitment rules:
- Assistant Agriculture Officer is a Group-C technical cadre within the Government of Maharashtra. Under the 7th Maharashtra State Pay Commission, Group-C technical posts typically carry pay scales such as Level S-8 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) or higher specialized levels (e.g., Level S-10), supplemented by Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and statutory travel allowances.
- Different Group-C cadres have distinct pay levels and service rules. Candidates should verify the exact pay level in the official MPSC corrigendum annexure before drawing conclusions.
- We intentionally avoid publishing unverified salary figures that could mislead aspirants.
Documents to Check Before Applying
Prepare digital copies of the following documents before beginning your application on the MPSC portal:
Identity & Age Proof
SSC / 10th Board Certificate or Birth Certificate showing candidate name and date of birth.
Degree Qualifications
Degree certificate and final semester marksheets in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agri-Engineering, or prescribed allied disciplines.
Maharashtra Domicile
Valid Domicile Certificate issued by a competent Maharashtra State Revenue Authority.
Category & NCL Certificates
Caste Certificate, Caste Validity, and Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate valid for the current financial year (where applicable).
Official Notification PDF and Apply Online Links
Candidates should use the verified official MPSC sources below:
| Resource | Official Link | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| MPSC Official Website | mpsc.gov.in | Official recruitment announcements & press releases |
| Advertisement & Corrigendum Page | mpsc.gov.in/adv_notification/8 | Open document titled “017-2026 Gr-C Pre 2026 - Corrigendum regarding posts” |
| MPSC Announcements & Circulars | mpsc.gov.in/announcement_and_circular/4 | Latest notices, circulars, and exam calendar changes |
| Online Application Portal | mpsconline.gov.in/candidate/login | Login, registration, cadre selection, and fee payment |
| Official MPSC Telegram Channel | t.me/s/official_mpsc | Instant official notifications and updates |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Final Advice for Candidates
The Assistant Agriculture Officer vacancy count of 1,203 represents one of the largest agricultural technical recruitments under MPSC in recent years. Aspirants should confirm their exact degree eligibility, age limits, and category documentation from the official documents before applying.
Use exclusively the official MPSC application portal (mpsconline.gov.in), complete your submission before the 27 November 2026 deadline, and retain your confirmation slip. Regularly check the official MPSC website for subsequent updates regarding the 24 January 2027 preliminary examination.