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
| Engineering services for recruitment of assistant engineers in planning dept. | August 2020 |
| For Group 4 services | September 2020 |
| Welfare officers | October 2020 |
| Group 1 services | November 2020 |
| Civil assistants | To be updated |
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
| Regional Transport Officer post | Superintendent of Jails(Deputy) |
| District Panchayat Officer post | Excise Superintendent(Assistant) |
| Deputy Collector position | Municipal Commissioner post of Grade-II |
| Commercial Tax Officer post | Lay Secretary officer & Treasurer post of Grade-II |
| District Registrar post | Assistant Commissioner of Labour department |
| Divisional Fire Officer post | Mandal Parishad Development Officer |
| District Social Welfare Officer post | Deputy Registrar (Co-operative Societies) |
| District Tribal Welfare Officer post | Deputy Superintendent post of Police Category- II |
| District Employment Officer post | Assistant Treasury Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer post |
| Assistant Audit Officer post | District Welfare Officer for Backward Classes (Assistant director) |
Vacancies under Group 2
| Executive Positions | Municipal Commissioner Grade-III officer |
| Mandal Revenue Officer post | Assistant Commercial Tax Officer post |
| Sub-Registrar of Grade-II post | Assistant Section Officer in Secretariat Sub-Service position |
| Junior Employment Officer post | Assistant Section Officer in A.P. Legislature office |
| Co-operative Sub-Registrar officer | Assistant Section Officer ( Finance and planning commission) |
| Assistant Labour Officer post | Assistant Section officer ( For law department) |
| Extension Officer post | Typist-cum-Assistant officer (A.P. Secretariat office) |
| Excise Sub-Inspector post | Typist-cum-Assistant officer (A.P. Legislature Sub-Service office) |
| Executive Officer of Grade-II post | Typist-cum-Assistant post ( Finance and planning commission) |
| Non-Executive Posts | Typist-cum-Assistant (for Law Department) |
| Senior Accountant officer | Head Assistant-cum-Typist (Ministerial Service) |
| Auditor in A.P. Pay & Accounts officer | Junior Assistant officer (Heads of Departments) for ministerial service |
| Assistant Auditor post | Junior Accountant (of Directorate position ) |
| Senior Accountant officer | Junior Accountant officer (Directorate position) Life insurance sector |
| Senior Auditor officer |
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.