RPSC Assistant Research Officer & Assistant Agriculture Research Officer Eligibility Criteria 2025
RPSC Assistant Research Officer & Assistant Agriculture Research Officer Exam Overview
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) conducts recruitment for the posts of Assistant Research Officer (ARO) and Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (AARO) under the Rajasthan Agriculture Service Rules, 1960 and Rajasthan Agriculture Subordinate Service Rules, 1978. This eligibility guide provides detailed information on age limits, educational qualifications, nationality, domicile, and other requirements for candidates applying to these posts.
Age Limit for RPSC ARO & AARO Posts
The age limits for RPSC Assistant Research Officer and Assistant Agriculture Research Officer posts are calculated as of January 1, 2023. The minimum and maximum age limits vary based on the post category:
| Post Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Research Officer (Post S.No. 1-5) | 20 years | 40 years |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Post S.No. 6-11) | 18 years | 40 years |
Note:
- Candidates must ensure their age falls within the prescribed limits as of January 1, 2023.
- Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories (see Age Relaxation section).
Educational Qualification for RPSC ARO & AARO Posts
Candidates must possess the following second-class postgraduate degrees from a university established by law in India. The educational qualifications are specific to each post:
| Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Agriculture Research Officer (Agriculture Chemistry) | IInd Class M.Sc. Chemistry or IInd Class M.Sc. (Agri.) Chemistry/Soil Science. |
| Agriculture Research Officer (Agronomy) | Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) with Agronomy. |
| Agriculture Research Officer (Entomology) | Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) with Entomology or Second Class M.Sc. (Zoology) with specialization in Entomology. |
| Agriculture Research Officer (Plant Pathology) | Second Class M.Sc. (Botany) with specialization in Plant Pathology or Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) in Plant Pathology. |
| Agriculture Research Officer (Horticulture) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agri.) with Horticulture. |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Agronomy) | Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) with Agronomy. |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Horticulture) | Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) with Horticulture. |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Entomology) | Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) with Entomology or Second Class M.Sc. (Zoology) with specialization in Entomology. |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Botany) | Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) Botany or Second Class M.Sc. (Agri.) in Plant Breeding. |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Plant Pathology) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agri.) in Plant Pathology or IInd Class M.Sc. (Botany) with specialization in Plant Pathology. |
| Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (Agriculture Chemistry) | IInd Class M.Sc. (Agri.) Chemistry/Soil Science. |
Additional Requirements:
- Working knowledge of Hindi written in Devnagri Script and knowledge of Rajasthan Culture is mandatory for all posts.
- Candidates appearing in the final year of their qualifying degree may apply, but they must submit proof of qualification before the interview.
Nationality & Domicile Requirements
Candidates must fulfill the following nationality and domicile criteria to be eligible for RPSC ARO & AARO posts:
-
Nationality:
- Candidates must be Indian citizens.
-
Domicile:
- Reserved category benefits (SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS/Ex-servicemen) are exclusively available to Rajasthan state domiciles.
- Candidates from other states applying under reserved categories will be treated as General (Unreserved) candidates.
- Women married to Rajasthan domiciles from other states cannot claim reserved category benefits (SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS) as per Supreme Court and Rajasthan High Court rulings.
Age Relaxation for RPSC ARO & AARO Posts
Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories and specific groups as per Rajasthan Government rules. The relaxation is non-cumulative, meaning candidates can avail only one relaxation from the list below:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) / Other Backward Classes (OBC) / More Backward Classes (MBC) / Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) - Male Candidates (Rajasthan Domicile) | 5 years |
| General Category Women (All India) | 5 years |
| SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS Women (Rajasthan Domicile) | 10 years |
| Widows & Divorcees (All Categories) | No upper age limit (Proof of widowhood/divorce required) |
| Ex-Prisoners (Eligible before conviction) | No upper age limit (if eligible before conviction) |
| Ex-Prisoners (Other cases) | Relaxation equal to the term of imprisonment served |
| NCC Cadet Instructors | Relaxation equal to service period in NCC (max 3 years) |
| Temporary Government Employees (Rajasthan State) | Deemed within age limit if eligible at initial appointment |
| Ex-Servicemen (Post S.No. 1-5) | 10 years (Max age limit: 50 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen (Post S.No. 6-11) | 15 years (Max age limit: 50 years; 55 years if lower post experience is mandatory) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 5 years |
| Reservists (Defence Personnel transferred to reserve) | 50 years (Post S.No. 1-5 only) |
| Repatriates from East African Countries (Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Zanzibar) | No age limit (Post S.No. 8-11 only) |
| Repatriates from Pakistan (1971 Indo-Pak War) | No age limit (Post S.No. 6-11 only) |
| Government Employees (Substantive Service in Rajasthan State) | Max age limit: 40 years |
| Emergency/Short Service Commissioned Officers (Released from Army) | Deemed within age limit if eligible at the time of commissioning |
| Panchayat Samiti/Zila Parishad/State PSU Employees (Substantive Service) | Max age limit: 40 years |
Important Notes:
- Non-cumulative relaxation: Candidates can avail only one age relaxation benefit.
- Horizontal reservation (PwBD/Ex-servicemen): Benefits are adjusted within the candidate’s vertical category (e.g., a PwBD candidate from OBC will be adjusted under OBC quota).
- Proof of eligibility: Candidates must submit valid certificates for age relaxation claims.
Other Requirements for RPSC ARO & AARO Posts
Candidates must fulfill the following additional requirements to be eligible for RPSC ARO & AARO posts:
-
Character & Conduct:
- Candidates must submit a character certificate from their last educational institution, stating their conduct as "Good".
- A police verification certificate must be submitted post-selection, confirming no criminal record that would disqualify them from government service.
-
Medical Fitness:
- Candidates must be medically fit and submit a medical certificate from a competent authority post-selection.
-
Marriage Certificate:
- As per Government of Rajasthan circular (22.05.2006), candidates must submit a marriage registration certificate if applicable.
-
Two-Child Policy:
- Candidates with more than two children as of August 1, 2002, are ineligible for appointment.
- Exceptions:
- If the third child was born before June 1, 2002.
- If one child is disabled.
- If the third child is born from a single delivery (e.g., twins).
- If the candidate has remarried and had a child from the new marriage.
-
No Objection Certificate (NOC):
- Government employees (Central/State/PSU) must submit an NOC from their employer if selected.
-
Ex-Servicemen Eligibility:
- Ex-servicemen must submit a discharge certificate and NOC from the competent authority.
- Rajasthan domicile ex-servicemen are eligible for reservation benefits.
- Ex-servicemen who have already joined Rajasthan Government service lose their ex-servicemen status for future recruitments.
-
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):
- Candidates must submit a disability certificate (40% or more) issued by a competent medical authority.
- The certificate must specify the type of disability (e.g., blindness/low vision, locomotor disability).
-
Widow/Divorcee Status:
- Widows must submit a death certificate of their husband.
- Divorcees must submit a divorce decree from a competent court.
- No remarriage must have occurred before the last date of application.
-
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS):
- Candidates must submit an Income & Assets Certificate issued by a competent authority.
- The certificate must be valid as of the last date of application.
-
Caste Certificates (SC/ST/OBC/MBC):
- Rajasthan domicile candidates must submit caste certificates issued by a competent authority.
- Married women must submit caste certificates based on their father’s caste and domicile (not husband’s).
- OBC/MBC candidates must submit a non-creamy layer certificate (valid as of the last date of application).
-
Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Area Candidates:
- Candidates from TSP areas must submit a TSP area certificate issued by a competent authority.
Important Notes for Candidates
-
Application Process:
- Applications must be submitted online via the RPSC official website.
- No offline applications will be accepted.
- Candidates must carefully verify all details before submission, as no corrections are allowed after the final submission.
-
Examination Fee:
- General & Creamy Layer OBC/MBC (Rajasthan): ₹350
- Non-Creamy Layer OBC/MBC & EWS (Rajasthan): ₹250
- SC/ST/PwBD (Rajasthan) & Family Income < ₹2.5 Lakh: ₹150
- TSP Area SC/ST & Sahariya Tribe (Baran District): ₹150
- Candidates from other states: Must pay the General category fee (₹350).
-
Selection Process:
- The selection process includes:
- Screening Test (if applications exceed a threshold) – Objective type.
- Interview – Final selection based on interview performance.
- The syllabus for the screening test will be released on the RPSC website.
- The selection process includes:
-
Document Verification:
- Candidates must submit self-attested copies of all relevant documents (educational certificates, caste certificates, age proof, etc.) during the verification process.
- Original documents must be presented for verification.
-
Disqualification:
- Candidates providing false information or incomplete applications will be disqualified.
- No legal recourse will be available for disqualified candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can final-year students apply for RPSC ARO & AARO posts?
Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must submit proof of qualification before the interview. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
2. Is knowledge of Hindi mandatory for RPSC ARO & AARO posts?
Yes, candidates must have working knowledge of Hindi written in Devnagri Script and knowledge of Rajasthan Culture.
3. Can candidates from other states apply under reserved categories?
No, reserved category benefits (SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS/Ex-servicemen) are exclusively for Rajasthan domiciles. Candidates from other states will be treated as General (Unreserved).
4. What is the age relaxation for ex-servicemen?
- Posts S.No. 1-5: 10 years (Max age: 50 years).
- Posts S.No. 6-11: 15 years (Max age: 50 years; 55 years if lower post experience is mandatory).
5. Can widows/divorcees remarry and still avail benefits?
No, widows/divorcees must not remarry before the last date of application to avail the no upper age limit benefit.
6. What documents are required for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)?
Candidates must submit a disability certificate (40% or more) issued by a competent medical authority, specifying the type of disability.
Conclusion
Candidates aspiring for RPSC Assistant Research Officer (ARO) & Assistant Agriculture Research Officer (AARO) posts must ensure they meet the age limits, educational qualifications, nationality, domicile, and other requirements specified in this guide. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories, but candidates can avail only one relaxation benefit. All documents must be valid and submitted on time to avoid disqualification.
For the latest updates, visit the RPSC official website.