The premier administrative examination for Deputy Collectors and DSPs across Andhra Pradesh.
Mandatory educational background, age limits, pay scale, and service designations
The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) conducts the Group 1 Services Examination to recruit administrative leadership for Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Commercial Tax Officer, and District Registrar posts. Featuring a 2-paper objective Prelims (240 marks total) with 1/3rd negative marking, APPSC Mains comprises 5 descriptive merit papers of 150 marks each (750 marks total) and two qualifying language papers (Telugu and English), culminating in a final merit list.
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification.
18 to 42 Years
SC / ST / BC / EWS of Andhra Pradesh: 5 years (up to 47) | Ex-Servicemen: 3 years | PwD: 10 years (up to 52)
General / UR: No attempt limit (Up to 42 years of age; 28 for DSP)
OBC: No attempt limit (Up to 47 years of age)
SC / ST: No attempt limit (Up to 47 years of age)
Pay Scale ₹54,060 – ₹1,40,520 (RPS 2022) for Deputy Collector & DSP + DA, HRA, Medical & Quarters
Annual Vacancies: Approx. 80 – 150 vacancies annually
Stage-wise breakdown, paper timing, question distribution, and negative marking rules
Negative Marking Rule: 1/3rd (0.33) marks deducted per incorrect answer in Prelims.
Mode: Offline OMR for Prelims, Descriptive Sheets for Mains in Vijayawada / Visakhapatnam | Medium: Bilingual (English / Telugu); Telugu and English qualifying language papers.
Two objective papers of 120 questions / 120 marks each (total 240 marks). Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (General Aptitude) are combined for the Mains cutoff. Standard 1/3rd negative marking applies.
| Paper / Component | Format | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: General Studies History and Culture (Indian History & Andhra Pradesh History - 30 Marks), Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations (30 Marks), Indian and Andhra Pradesh Economy and Planning (30 Marks), Geography of India, World and Andhra Pradesh (30 Marks) | Objective (MCQ) | 120 | 120 | 2 Hours | Combined with Paper 2 for Mains qualification list (50x vacancies) |
Paper 2: General Aptitude General Mental Ability, Administrative and Psychological Abilities (60 Marks), Science and Technology (30 Marks), Current Events of Regional, National and International Importance (30 Marks) | Objective (MCQ) | 120 | 120 | 2 Hours | Combined with Paper 1 for Mains qualification list |
5 descriptive merit papers of 150 marks each (750 marks total) + 2 qualifying language papers (Telugu and English, 150 marks each, minimum 40% required). Conducted over one week at Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati.
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: Telugu (Qualifying) Essay, Elaboration, Precis writing, Comprehension, Formal letter drafting, Grammar and Translation from English to Telugu | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Class X standard, min 40% required, not counted in merit) |
Paper 2: English (Qualifying) Essay, Letter writing, Press Release, Report writing, Precis, Comprehension, English Grammar | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Class X standard, min 40% required, not counted in merit) |
Paper 3: General Essay Section 1: Current Affairs / Political / Socio-Economic Issues, Section 2: Reflective / Philosophical Topics, Section 3: Issues related to Andhra Pradesh | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit (Three sections, 50 Marks each) |
Paper 4: History, Culture and Geography of India and AP History and Culture of India (50 Marks), History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh (50 Marks - Satavahanas, Eastern Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, bifurcated AP), Geography of India and AP (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 5: Polity, Constitution, Governance, Law and Ethics Indian Constitution and Political System (50 Marks), Public Administration, Governance and Public Policy (50 Marks), Ethics in Public Service and Case Studies (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 6: Economy and Development of India and AP Indian Economy and Planning (50 Marks), Andhra Pradesh Economy and Bifurcation Challenges (50 Marks), Agriculture, Industry and Services (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 7: Science, Technology and Environmental Issues Science and Technology in everyday life (50 Marks), Information Technology, Space, Defense & Energy (50 Marks), Environmental Degradation and Disaster Management (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Board interview conducted at APPSC office in Vijayawada evaluating administrative personality, leadership, and knowledge of Andhra Pradesh bifurcated development priorities.
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral Test Board Personal record & DAF, Amaravati capital development & Polavaram national irrigation project, Port-led economy (Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu), Navaratnalu welfare governance & industrial corridor execution | Interview | 75 | 20 – 30 Minutes | Combined with Mains for final merit ranking |
Detailed curriculum modules categorized by standard foundations vs. high-yield scoring chapters
Phase-by-phase roadmap, daily study schedule, topper golden rules, and fatal pitfalls to avoid
APPSC Group 1 has no optional subject, making the 5 General Studies descriptive papers (750 marks total) the decisive rank decider. In Prelims, both Paper 1 and Paper 2 count toward the 240-mark merit cutoff with 1/3rd negative marking. Candidates must focus on high factual precision in Andhra Pradesh history (Satavahanas to 2014 bifurcation), Rayalaseema and coastal geography, and clear point-wise descriptive answers with administrative case studies.
Telugu Akademi Andhra Pradesh History, B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao, NCERTs, Laxmikanth
Essay, History/Geo, Polity/Ethics, Economy/Bifurcation, Science/Env
Paper 1 GS (120 Qs) and Paper 2 Aptitude/Science (120 Qs) revision
Full mock exams across all 5 merit papers + Telugu/English qualifying
Topper-validated standard reference books and chapter-wise question banks
Author: B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao / Telugu Akademi | Pub: Telugu Akademi Hyderabad
The definitive academic reference for Satavahanas, Eastern Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, and modern Andhra movement.
Author: Planning Department, Govt of AP | Pub: Government of Andhra Pradesh
Directly referenced by APPSC paper setters for agriculture, aquaculture, ports, and welfare missions.
Author: M. Laxmikanth | Pub: McGraw Hill
The definitive guide for Prelims and Mains Paper 5 (Polity & Governance).
Author: Vijeta Competitions / Winner's Publications | Pub: Winner's Publications
Authentic past papers of APPSC Group 1 with bilingual explanations mapped to the revised syllabus.
Official past category-wise cutoffs to benchmark your target mock scores
| Cycle / Tier / Service | General (UR) | OBC | EWS | SC | ST | Scope & Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 Prelims (Out of 240 Marks) | 135.50 Marks | 131.00 Marks (BC-A/B/D) | 131.00 Marks | 122.50 Marks | 115.00 Marks | Combined cutoff of Paper 1 (120) + Paper 2 (120); top 50x qualified per vacancy. |
| 2019 Prelims (Out of 240 Marks) | 128.50 Marks | 124.00 Marks | N/A | 116.00 Marks | 108.50 Marks | Screening cutoff for Mains examination entry. |
| 2019 Final Merit (Out of 825 Marks) | 485.00 Marks (Deputy Collector) | 460.00 Marks | N/A | 430.00 Marks | 410.00 Marks | Final aggregate out of 825 (Mains 750 + Interview 75). |
From initial application to final cadre allocation and joining the training academy
Apply online at psc.ap.gov.in using One Time Profile Registration (OTPR).
Appear for Paper 1 (GS - 120 marks) and Paper 2 (Aptitude - 120 marks). Combined score qualifies top 50x for Mains.
Write 5 descriptive merit papers (750 marks) + 2 qualifying language papers (Telugu & English) over one week.
Attend board interview in Vijayawada (75 Marks).
Merit ranking determines allocation to Deputy Collector, DSP, or Commercial Tax Officer followed by training at AP HRD Institute Bapatla.
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