APPSC 2020 – Notification, Registration, Syllabus, Exam Dates

The Andhra Public Service Commission (APPSC) conducts the civil services exam for eligible candidates to recruit candidates to various services to Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 services for Andhra Pradesh state.

Eligible candidates can apply for the services by going through the notification in detail. All candidates have to apply for the commission in the specified norm.

In this article, we provide complete details about APPSC 2020 notification like important dates, the online registration process, application fees, admit card, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, cut off, results, vacancies, preparation tips, and recommended books for preparation. The official website of the commission is psc.ap.gov.in.

APPSC 2020 – Exam Dates

APPSC 2020 Application Process (Common for all groups)

This section covers the necessary steps of filling up the application form that would be common for all the groups of the APPSC civil services exam. Steps to be followed:

• Candidates can visit the official website.
• Check if the link to the group that you intend to apply for has been activated. If yes, then proceed.
• Register on the website by creating a login id and password.
• Select the Group-specific exam link and click on the application form. 
• After completion of registration, enter the application form window.
• Enter all relevant details. 
• Upload documents like 10th/12th mark sheet scanned photo and signature.
• Pay the relevant fees.
• Submit the application form. 

Application Fees

For Group 1

• Fees can be remitted in ONLINE mode only.
• The exam fee is INR 120
• Online application process fee is INR 100
• Total fee is INR 220

For Group 2

• For general and OBC candidates – INR 330 ( INR 250 plus INR 80)
• For SC/ST and ex-servicemen – INR 250 

For Group 3

• For General categories – INR 330 ( INR 250 plus INR 80)
• For SC/ST and physically disabled candidates – INR 80

For Group 4

• For General categories – INR 330 ( INR 250 plus INR 80)
• For SC/ST and physically handicapped candidates – INR 250

Mode of remitting Application fees for all groups: ONLINE mode only. 

APPSC Admit Card 2020

• The admit card shall be made available on the official website a few days before the exam. 
• All candidates need to carry the admit card to the exam venue without fail. 
• For every group, there shall be a separate admit card.
• Also, for every round of exams of each group, the admit card should be downloaded from the website.
• Admit card contains all necessary information about the candidate like name, contact details, exam venue, duration, exam centre, etc. 

APPSC Eligibility Criteria

Nationality 

• This criterion is common for all groups. 
• All candidates should be citizens of India to apply for all groups. 

Educational Qualification 

For Groups 1, 2 and 3

• The minimum eligibility criteria are that the candidates should possess a graduation degree in any disciple from a university that is recognized by the government of India. 

For Group 4

• The minimum qualification includes all candidates who have completed their 10 plus 2 / Pre University/ intermediate level/equivalent from a school/college that is recognized by the government of India. 

Age Limit 

For Group 1

Minimum age limit: 18 years

Maximum age limit: 42 years

For Group 2

Minimum age limit: 18 years

Maximum age limit: 42 years

For Group 3

Minimum age limit: 18 years

Maximum age limit: 42 years

For Group 4

Minimum age limit: 18 years

Maximum age limit: 36 years

Age Relaxation ( Common for all groups) 

The age relaxation norms are common for all groups – Group 1, 2, 3 and 4. The same has been listed below: 

• For SC/ST and OBC candidates – 5 years
• For persons with disabilities – 10 years. 
• For ex-servicemen- 3 years
• For state government employees – 5 years
• For widows and divorcees ( belonging to General category) – Till the age of 48 years 
• For widows and divorcees ( belonging to SC/ST categories) – Till the age of 43 years 

APPSC Exam Pattern 2020 

The exam pattern for the different groups varies between each other. Here we present the breakdown of the exam pattern for each group individually:

Group 1 

Prelims 

• Exam duration is 2 and half hours.
• Total number of questions is 150.
• Total marks of paper are 150.
• Negative marking is applicable for wrong answers. 

Mains  

• Totally 6 papers
• Papers are descriptive in nature.
• Each paper has 3 sections
• Each paper is set for 150 marks. 

Interview 

• This round is conducted for 75 marks. 

Group 2 

Prelims  

• Consists of 1 paper of 3 sections.
• Paper consists of 150 questions.
• Total marks are also 150.
• Negative marking is applicable.
• Exam conducted for 2 and half hours. 

Mains 

• Consists of 3 papers.
• Each paper conducted for 150 marks each.
• Each paper conducted for two and a half hours.
• Each paper conducted for duration of two and half hours. 

Interview 

• This round also includes document verification for candidates. 

Group 3

Prelims  

• Paper consists of 150 marks.
• Time limit is 150 minutes.
• Objective type of paper
• Negative marking is applicable.

Mains  

• Total marks are 300.
• 2 papers each of 150 marks.
• Objective type of paper.
• Negative marking applicable. 

Document verification round 

• Candidates have to submit all documents (both originals and photocopies) that have been mentioned in their application. 

Group 4 

Written Exam 

• Consists of two papers.
• Each paper is of 150 marks.
• Each paper is conducted for 150 minutes.
• Total marks for the written exam are 300. 

Document verification 

• Candidates have to submit all documents (both originals and photocopies) that have been mentioned in their application. 

APPSC Syllabus 2020

Group 1

Prelims 

• General knowledge and current affairs
• Science and technology
• Indian history
• Indian economy ‘Geography
• Indian constitution and polity
• Environmental studies
• General reasoning and aptitude sections

Mains 

• Paper 1 is the general essay paper, where candidates will have to select essays from a given list and wrote according to the theme of the topic.
• Paper 2 focuses on Indian history. Special emphasis to be given to Andhra Pradesh history. Also, include Indian political studies.
• Paper 3 focus on economy both Indian and Andhra Pradesh state in particular. Study about special schemes and socio-economic development of the country.
• Paper 4 focuses on geenral sciences, life sciences, environmental studies and technology.
• Paper 5 focuses on data interpretation, logical analysis, data sufficiency, reasoning, etc.
• Paper 6 focuses on General English like comprehension, passage writing, and precise writing and vocabulary skills. 

Interview Round   

• The candidate’s analytical and decision-making skills are tested.
• Along with the basic skills, communication and interpersonal skills are also tested. 

Group 2

Prelims  

• General awareness
• General maths ability 
• Reasoning and analytical thinking
• Social-economic and cultural aspects of the state of AP.
• Indian natural resources
• Financial planning
• Budgeting
• Monetary gains and public policies
• Economics
• Resource development of AP.

Mains 

For paper 1 

• General studies
• Maths ability 
• Reasoning

For paper 2

• Indian constitution
• Administration
• Polity
• Governance
• Bureaucracy

For paper 3

• Indian economic policies
• Financial and fiscal policies
• Budgeting 
• Fiscal allocations 

Interview / Document verification round

• Questions on current affairs/ general knowledge/ choice of career etc.

Group 3 

Prelims  

• Current affairs and events of local and national importance
• History of India
• Physical geography
• Data analysis
• The economic development of India
• General and logical reasoning
• Women empowerment
• Fund and resource allocation and expenditure in India 

Mains 

For paper 1

• Physical geography
• Environmental studies
• Sustainable development and resources of India
• Facts and figures

For paper 2

• Panchayat Raj
• Rural India 
• Rural economy 
• Rural self-governance
• Rural development and empowerment

Group 4 

Written Exam  

For General Studies paper 

• History 
• Economics 
• civics 
• general science 
• Mathematics
• Current affairs
• Botany 
• Geography

For Secretarial Skills paper 

• Comprehension
• Mental capacity and ability of candidates
• Sentence construction and re-writing 

Cut Off  

The APPSC official website publishes the cut off marks individually for every group after displaying the results of the respective group. The cut off marks for prelims and mains shall be different. The cut off marks are also displayed category-wise. They vary every year and are influenced by the number of applicants appearing for the exam in the current year, the vacant posts, etc. 

APPSC Results 

The procedure to check results is common for all groups.

• Check the official site of the commission.
• Go to the results section or locate the result link in the ‘What’s new/ notification’ section.
• Click on the results for the appropriate group that is relevant to the candidate.
• Enter registration number and date of birth.
• A PDF list containing merit list shall be displayed immediately.
• Take a print copy/ download result sheet for future reference.

APPSC Vacancies 2020

There are separate vacancies categorized under Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 services. The exact number of posts shall be updated later on. The posts here are indicative.

Vacancies under Group 1

Vacancies under Group 2

Vacancies under Group 3

• Village Development Officer ( Rural department)
• Co-operative Societies officer(Junior inspector)

Vacancies under Group 4

• Junior Stenographers
• Typists ( HOD offices)
• Typists and Junior Assistant officers and junior stenographers (Judicial Ministerial Services)

Preparation tips to crack APPSC Civil Service Exam 

In this section, we present the best preparation tips according to each group:

For Group 1

• Attempt only those questions that you are very sure of. Negative marking is applicable.
• The syllabus is vast and comprehensive.
• Cover a wide range of subjects to heave a good knowledge base of each segment.
• Read at least two newspapers every day.
• Make sure to read general science notes from NCERT books.

For Group 2

• Start preparing at least six months before the exam.
• Be sure to read from the economic survey of India websites. Also, refer to the economic study of Andhra Pradesh state without fail.
• The budget forecasts and trends need to be followed carefully.
• Practice more of maps and be prepared to locate precisely. 
• Learn from online videos 

For Group 3

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of Group 3 services; write answers according to the required standards.
• Ensuring studies from the right study materials is quintessential. 
• Provide more focus to the rural development scenario of Andhra Pradesh in particular
• Study different sections from both NCERT and AP state education textbooks. 

For Group 4

• Apart from the syllabus, write down all important topics to be covered for the exam.
• Do not pile up too many books for referring to each topic. 
• Stick to standard books only.
• Study socio-economic surveys of the current year. 

Best Books for preparation 

Here in this section, we present the best books recommended according to the group. Please note that the books are not group-specific and they can be recommended for the preparation of all group exams:

Group 1

• NCERT textbooks
• Andhra Pradesh State level syllabus textbooks
• Indian polity by Laxmikanth
• NIOS reference and textbooks
• Quantitative aptitude by R S Agarwal 

Group 2 

• Telugu Academy books for Indian economy
• AP History by BSL Hanumanth Rao
• Indian Polity by AOU publications
• AP History by P R Rao
• Indian struggle for independence by Bipin Chandra 

Group 3 

• Indian polity by NCERT textbooks
• Disaster management books by CBSE references books
• AP state textbooks for science and economics 

Group 4 

• Modern History by Raghunatha Rao 
• Current affairs by Arihant series
• Read at least two newspapers – one national daily and one local newspaper.