MPESB Agriculture Extension Officer Recruitment 2026

If you have been tracking MPESB recruitment, this is the notification agriculture graduates have been waiting for. Madhya Pradesh Employee Selection Board (MPESB) has announced Group-2 Sub Group-1 Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO) Recruitment 2026 with a massive 2,784 vacancies under the Directorate of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development, Bhopal. This is a direct recruitment for executive posts in the Third Grade category. The computer-based online examination will be conducted on 2 August 2026 in two shifts. Applications open on 3 July 2026 and close on 17 July 2026. The selection is based on a single 200-mark objective paper covering General Knowledge, Hindi, English, Mathematics, Reasoning, Science, Computer Knowledge, and Agriculture subjects.

Based on official notification by Madhya Pradesh Employee Selection Board. Verified: July 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check for MPESB AEO 2026

Expert Note: Baiga, Sahariya, and Bharia ST candidates are NOT exempted from this exam. They must appear like any other ST candidate. All provisions related to these tribes in the rule book stand deleted for this executive post.

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Important Dates for MPESB AEO 2026

Vacancy Analysis – 2,784 Posts

Department: Directorate of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development, Bhopal

Post Code: 01

Post Type: Executive (Direct Recruitment)

Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown

PwBD Reservation

Total 168 posts reserved for PwBD candidates:

• 42 posts for Visual Impairment (VH)
• 42 posts for Hearing Impairment (EH)
• 42 posts for Locomotor Disability (LD)
• 42 posts for Multiple Disability (MD)

These posts are included in the open category vacancies above.

Insight

The General (UR) category has the highest number of posts at 1,126, followed by OBC with 776. PwBD candidates have dedicated 168 posts across all disability types. Contract employees and Ex-Servicemen have horizontal reservations within each category. Women get 35% horizontal reservation across all categories. The selection ratio will be highly competitive given the large number of applicants expected for these 2,784 positions.

Salary and Pay Scale

Pay Scale: ₹25,300 – ₹80,500 (as per Madhya Pradesh government norms). During the 3-year probation period, candidates receive 70%, 80%, and 90% of the minimum pay as stipend respectively. After successful completion of probation, regular salary in the pay scale is provided.

Application Fee Details

Correction Fee

• Correction per attempt: ₹20
• Correction portal fee: ₹40 per attempt

Age Limit and Relaxation

Age Calculation Date: 1 January 2026

Minimum Age: 18 years

Important Restrictions:

• Total age relaxation cannot exceed 45 years for any category (except contract employees where max is 55 years)
• EWS candidates do NOT get age relaxation
• Candidates who married below legal age (18 for women, 21 for men) are NOT eligible
• Candidates with more than two children (with one born after 26 January 2001) are NOT eligible
• Candidates convicted for crimes against women are NOT eligible

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Special Age Relaxations

• Ex-Servicemen: Actual age minus military service period (resultant age must not exceed max limit by more than 3 years)
• Retrenched Government Employees: Up to 7 years deduction from age
• Inter-caste Marriage Awardees: 5 years relaxation
• Vikram Awardees: 5 years relaxation

Educational Eligibility Criteria

Important Notes:

• Qualification must be completed BEFORE the application closing date (17 July 2026)
• Qualifications acquired after the closing date will NOT be considered
• Candidates must upload their degree certificate while applying
• Final verification of documents is done by the department at the time of appointment, NOT by MPESB

Selection Process

Stage 1: Computer-Based Online Examination

Single objective paper of 200 marks. Duration: 3 hours. Conducted on 2 August 2026 in two shifts. Marking: +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect.

Stage 2: Merit List Preparation

Merit lists are prepared based on normalized scores (if multiple shifts). Separate merit lists for each category with horizontal reservations for Women, ESM, PwBD, and Contract Employees.

Stage 3: Document Verification

Candidates from the merit list are recommended to respective departments. Document verification and character verification are done by the department, NOT by MPESB.

Stage 4: Appointment

Appointment orders must be issued within 3 months of the merit list declaration. Candidates failing to join within the stipulated date lose their candidature.

Normalization Formula

For multi-shift exams, MPESB uses the Normalised Equi-Percentile (NEP) scaling technique:

Single Stage: Pij = (No. of candidates in shift with scores ≤ Xij / Nj) × 100

Multi Stage: T-score = AM + ASD × (Zij) where AM = Max Marks/2, ASD = Max Marks/10

Tie-Breaker Rules

1. Higher proportionate marks
2. Higher age (older candidate gets preference)

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer: +1 mark
• Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks (1/4 negative marking)
• Unattempted: 0 marks
• Questions are objective type with 4 options in Hindi/English medium

Exam Timings

Agriculture Subject Syllabus (100 Marks)

1. General Agriculture

• Agriculture and its importance in national economy

2. Agronomy

• Major crops of MP
• Agrotechniques of major field crops of MP
• Farming systems and sustainable agriculture
• Introductory Agro Meteorology
• Agro-climatic and Agro-ecological zones

3. Soil Science

• Soil and its composition – role in crop production
• Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil
• Essential plant nutrients – function and dynamics
• Integrated nutrient management
• Problem soils and their management

4. Soil and Water Conservation, Watershed Management

5. Plant Physiology

• Absorption, translocation and metabolism of nutrients
• Photosynthesis and respiration
• Growth and development, growth regulators

6. Crop Improvement

• Elements of genetics and plant breeding as applied to crop improvement

7. Horticulture

• Package of practices of important fruits, vegetables, spices, flowering plants
• Nursery management and propagation methods
• Problems – unfruitfulness, alternate bearing, fruit drops
• Physiological disorders and their management
• Post-harvest management and value addition

8. Plant Protection

• Important insect pests and diseases affecting important crops
• Integrated pest and disease management
• Spray equipments – selection and maintenance
• Rodent management
• Safety precautions during pesticide usage

9. Agricultural Economics

• Meaning, principles of economics as applied to agriculture
• Farm planning and resource management for optimal production
• Farming systems and their economic role
• Marketing of agricultural produce and regulated markets in MP
• Initiatives like e-chaupal
• Price of agricultural produce and its role in agricultural production

10. Agricultural Extension Education

• Philosophy, objectives and principles of extension
• Extension organizations at state, district, block levels
• Structure, functions and responsibilities
• Methods of communication
• Role of farmers organizations in extension services
• Role and importance of trainings
• Important rural development programmes in India

How to Apply for MPESB AEO 2026

1. Visit the official MP Online Portal: www.mponline.gov.in
2. Go to Citizen Services and click on Application
3. Select the ESB link for the AEO Recruitment 2026
4. Read the Instructions and Examination Rules carefully
5. Click Continue to fill the online application form
6. Fill all personal, educational, and category details correctly
7. Select 4 preferred exam cities in order of priority
8. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and handwriting sample (2 lines)
9. Upload required documents: 8th/10th/12th marksheet, Caste/EWS/PwBD certificate, etc.
10. Pay the examination fee through Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking
11. Or pay through MP Online Kiosk (portal fee ₹60)
12. After successful payment, download and print the application form with Application ID

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the total number of vacancies for MPESB AEO 2026?

Total 2,784 vacancies for Agriculture Extension Officer posts under the Directorate of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development, Bhopal.

What is the application last date for MPESB AEO 2026?

Online applications close on 17 July 2026. The correction window is open until 22 July 2026.

What is the exam date for MPESB AEO 2026?

The exam will be conducted on 2 August 2026 (Sunday) in two shifts. Shift 1: 09:00 AM-12:00 PM, Shift 2: 02:30 PM-05:30 PM.

What is the exam pattern for MPESB AEO 2026?

Single paper of 200 marks with 200 MCQs. General section: 100 marks (GK, Hindi, English, Mathematics, Reasoning, Science, Computer). Agriculture subject: 100 marks. Duration: 3 hours. +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect.

What is the age limit for MPESB AEO 2026?

General category: 18-40 years. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Women/Government Employees/PwBD: 18-45 years (5 years relaxation). Contract employees: up to 55 years with service deduction. EWS candidates do NOT get age relaxation.

What is the application fee for MPESB AEO 2026?

General category: ₹500. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD (MP domicile): ₹250. Portal fee: ₹60 (kiosk) or ₹20 (self). Backlog candidates: no fee.

What is the educational qualification for MPESB AEO 2026?

Graduate degree in Agriculture OR Horticulture. Active registration in MP Employment Office is mandatory.

Can candidates from other states apply?

Yes, but they will be treated as General category only. No reservation or age relaxation benefits are available for non-MP residents.

Is there negative marking in MPESB AEO 2026?

Yes, 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer (1/4 negative marking).

What is the salary for MPESB Agriculture Extension Officer?

Pay scale: ₹25,300 – ₹80,500. During probation: 70% (1st year), 80% (2nd year), 90% (3rd year) of minimum pay as stipend. Regular salary after probation.