RPSC Agriculture Department Exam 2024: Eligibility Criteria
Introduction
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) conducts the RPSC Agriculture Department Exam for various positions, including Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO), Statistical Officer (SO), Agriculture Research Officer (ARO), and Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (AARO). This document outlines the detailed eligibility criteria for candidates applying to these posts, including age limits, educational qualifications, nationality, age relaxation, and other specific requirements.
Age Limit for RPSC Agriculture Department Exam
The age limits for the RPSC Agriculture Department Exam vary based on the post applied for. The critical date for age calculation is January 1, 2025. Below are the details:
| Post Serial Number | Post Name | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Assistant Agriculture Officer (NSA & SA) | 18 years | 40 years |
| 3 | Statistical Officer | 20 years | 40 years |
| 4 to 9 | Agriculture Research Officer (Various Specializations) | 20 years | 40 years |
| 10 to 14 | Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Various Specializations) | 18 years | 40 years |
Note:
- Candidates who were overage as of January 1, 2025, but meet the criteria based on previous advertisements, are eligible for additional age relaxation:
- Posts 1 & 2: 2 years
- Posts 3 & 5: 3 years
- Posts 4 & 6 to 14: 1 year
Educational Qualification for RPSC Agriculture Department Exam
The educational qualifications required for each post are as follows:
| Post Serial Number | Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Assistant Agriculture Officer (NSA & SA) | B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Horticulture) from a university established by law in India. |
| 3 | Statistical Officer | IInd Class Post Graduate Degree in Mathematics with Statistics or IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) with Statistics or M.Sc. in Statistics from a university established by law in India. |
| 4 | Agriculture Research Officer (Agronomy) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) with Agronomy from a university established by law in India. |
| 5 | Agriculture Research Officer (Agriculture Botany) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Botany or IInd Class M.Sc. (Botany) with Plant Breeding from a university established by law in India. |
| 6 | Agriculture Research Officer (Plant Pathology) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Botany) with specialization in Plant Pathology or IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Plant Pathology from a university established by law in India. |
| 7 | Agriculture Research Officer (Entomology) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) with Entomology or IInd Class M.Sc. (Zoology) with specialization in Entomology from a university established by law in India. |
| 8 | Agriculture Research Officer (Agriculture Chemistry) | IInd Class M.Sc. in Chemistry or IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Chemistry/Soil Science from a university established by law in India. |
| 9 | Agriculture Research Officer (Horticulture) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) with Horticulture from a university established by law in India. |
| 10 | Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Agronomy) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) with Agronomy from a university established by law in India. |
| 11 | Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Botany) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Botany or IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Plant Breeding from a university established by law in India. |
| 12 | Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Plant Pathology) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Plant Pathology or IInd Class M.Sc. (Botany) with specialization in Plant Pathology from a university established by law in India. |
| 13 | Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Entomology) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) with Entomology or IInd Class M.Sc. (Zoology) with specialization in Entomology from a university established by law in India. |
| 14 | Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Agriculture Chemistry) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Chemistry/Soil Science from a university established by law in India. |
Additional Requirement:
- Working knowledge of Hindi written in Devnagari Script and knowledge of Rajasthan Culture is mandatory for all posts.
Nationality and Domicile Requirements
-
Nationality:
- Candidates must be Indian citizens.
-
Domicile:
- Reserved Category Benefits: Only candidates who are permanent residents of Rajasthan are eligible for reservations under Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Most Backward Classes (MBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Ex-Servicemen categories.
- Scheduled Area Posts: Only candidates from the Scheduled Areas of Rajasthan are eligible to apply for posts reserved for Scheduled Areas. They must provide a Scheduled Area domicile certificate when requested by the RPSC.
- Women Candidates: Women married to Rajasthan domiciles are not eligible for SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS reservations unless they are permanent residents of Rajasthan before marriage (as per Supreme Court judgment in C.A. No. 1085/2013).
Age Relaxation for RPSC Agriculture Department Exam
Age relaxation is provided for various categories as per the Rajasthan government norms. The relaxations are non-cumulative, meaning candidates can avail only one relaxation.
| S.No. | Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Male candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS of Rajasthan | 5 years |
| 2 | Female candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS of Rajasthan | 10 years |
| 3 | Female candidates belonging to the General (Unreserved) category | 5 years |
| 4 | Widow and Divorcee/Deserted Women | No upper age limit |
| 5 | Ex-prisoners who were substantively employed before conviction | No upper age limit |
| 6 | Other ex-prisoners (imprisonment period equal to relaxation) | Imprisonment period |
| 7 | Cadet Instructors (NCC service period, max 3 years additional relaxation) | Service period |
| 8 | Persons appointed temporarily in the service | Deemed within limit |
| 9 | Persons serving in substantive capacity in Rajasthan government | 40 years |
| 10 | Released Emergency Commissioned Officers/Short Service Commissioned Officers | Deemed within limit |
| 11 | Persons serving in Panchayat Samitis, Zila Parishads, or State PSUs | 40 years |
| 12 | Reservists (Defence Service Personnel transferred to reserve) | 50 years (Posts 3-9) |
| 13 | Repatriates from East African countries (Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Zanzibar) | No age limit (Posts 1-2 & 10-14) |
| 14 | Repatriates from Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pak War | No age limit (Posts 1-2 & 10-14) |
| 15 | Ex-Servicemen | 15 years (Posts 1-2 & 10-14) / 10 years (Posts 3-9) or 50 years (whichever is lower) |
| 16 | Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 5 years |
Note for PwBD Candidates:
- The 5-year relaxation for PwBD candidates is in addition to any other relaxation they are eligible for.
Other Requirements for RPSC Agriculture Department Exam
-
Physical Fitness:
- Candidates must be medically fit as per the standards prescribed by the Rajasthan government. A medical certificate from a competent authority will be required at the time of appointment.
-
Character Certificate:
- Candidates must provide a police verification certificate confirming good conduct and no criminal record.
-
Marital Status:
- Candidates with more than two children as of June 1, 2002, are not eligible for appointment. Exceptions apply for children born from a single delivery or children with disabilities.
-
Ex-Servicemen:
- Ex-Servicemen must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their last employer if still in service. The NOC must be submitted within 1 year of the application deadline.
- Ex-Servicemen who have already availed reservations in Rajasthan government jobs are not eligible for further reservations.
-
Sports Quota:
- Outstanding sportspersons may avail reservations as per the Personnel Department notifications dated March 15, 2013, and November 21, 2019. Specific certificates are required.
-
Application Process:
- Candidates must apply separately for each post they wish to apply for.
- One-Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory on the RPSC website or SSO Portal.
- The application fee is as follows:
- General/OBC (Creamy Layer)/MBC (Creamy Layer): ₹600
- Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC-Non Creamy Layer/MBC-Non Creamy Layer/EWS): ₹400
- PwBD Candidates: ₹400
-
Scheduled Area Candidates:
- Candidates from Scheduled Areas can apply for both Scheduled and Non-Scheduled Area posts. They must indicate their preference in the application form.
-
Document Verification:
- Candidates must submit original certificates for verification at the time of counseling/interview. Failure to provide valid documents will result in disqualification.
Important Notes
-
Candidates in the Final Year:
- Candidates appearing for their final year exams of the required qualification are eligible to apply. However, they must provide proof of passing the exam before the RPSC competitive exam.
-
False Information:
- Providing false information or suppressing facts in the application form is a punishable offense under Section 217 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Such candidates will be debarred from future exams for 1 year.
-
Withdrawal of Application:
- Candidates can withdraw their application online until the experience correction date specified by the RPSC.
-
Exam Pattern:
- The RPSC Agriculture Department Exam consists of two papers:
- Paper I: General Knowledge of Rajasthan (40 questions, 40 marks, 40 minutes)
- Paper II: Concerned Subject (110 questions, 110 marks, 1 hour 50 minutes)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- The RPSC Agriculture Department Exam consists of two papers:
-
Admit Card:
- Admit cards will be available on the RPSC website before the exam. Candidates must carry a printed admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam center.
-
Scribe Facility:
- PwBD candidates can avail a scribe if they provide the required medical certificates and follow the RPSC guidelines.
Conclusion
Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying for the RPSC Agriculture Department Exam. Ensure all documents, including educational certificates, caste certificates, domicile certificates, and age proof, are valid and up-to-date. For the latest updates, regularly check the RPSC official website.
Best of luck with your preparation!