The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has announced the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (APPSCCE) 2026 for 135 Group A and Group B vacancies across 13 services and posts. Online applications are scheduled from 16 September to 20 October 2026, with the Preliminary Examination planned for 6 December 2026. A key point candidates should check first is that this is not an open all-India recruitment. The notified residency, APST and indigenous-language conditions are important parts of eligibility.
APPSC CCE 2026: What Candidates Should Know First
The APPSCCE is a state-level competitive examination through which APPSC will recruit for multiple administrative and departmental positions.
Before looking at the vacancy count, candidates should check three things:
- Whether they satisfy the prescribed Arunachal Pradesh residency requirements.
- Whether they hold the required APST status and supporting certificates.
- Whether they meet the educational and age conditions applicable to the recruitment.
The recruitment includes both Group A and Group B positions, but eligibility and service requirements can differ depending on the post.
Recruitment Snapshot
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission |
| Examination | APPSCCE 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 5/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 135 |
| Services/Posts | 13 |
| Category | Group A & Group B |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Starts | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date | 20 October 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Preliminary Exam | 6 December 2026 |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Job Location | Arunachal Pradesh |
Where the 135 Vacancies Are
The recruitment covers administrative, police, taxation, transport, labour, information, food and civil supplies, and secretariat-related positions.
The largest vacancy allocation is for APCS Entry Grade with 60 posts, while Assistant Section Officer has 38 posts. Together, these two categories account for a substantial share of the advertised vacancies.
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| APCS, Entry Grade, Group A | 60 |
| APPS, Entry Grade, Group A | 10 |
| Child Development Project Officer | 5 |
| District Information & Public Relation Officer | 4 |
| District Food & Civil Supply Officer | 3 |
| District Transport Officer | 1 |
| Labour Officer | 2 |
| Station Superintendent | 4 |
| Assistant Station Superintendent | 1 |
| Field Publicity Officer | 1 |
| Inspector, Tax, Excise & Narcotics | 4 |
| Inspector, Trade & Commerce | 2 |
| Assistant Section Officer | 38 |
| Total | 135 |
Certain vacancies include provisions for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities according to the applicable recruitment rules.
Which Vacancies Stand Out?
The 60 APCS Entry Grade vacancies make it the largest individual vacancy group in the notification. The 38 Assistant Section Officer posts are another major component of the recruitment.
Candidates should not assume that the same eligibility conditions apply identically to all 13 posts. The post-specific requirements should be checked before selecting preferences or completing the application.
Eligibility: Check This Before Opening the Form
The most important eligibility issue in this recruitment is its state-specific nature.
Educational Qualification
A candidate should generally hold a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution.
Candidates appearing in their qualifying examination may be allowed to participate subject to the conditions and deadlines prescribed by APPSC. The applicable qualification must be satisfied at the required stage of the recruitment.
Arunachal Pradesh Residency and APST
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed Arunachal Pradesh residency requirements and possess the required Permanent Residence Certificate.
The recruitment also specifies Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) requirements where applicable. Candidates claiming such status should ensure that their certificate and other supporting documents meet the Commission’s requirements.
The notification also requires proficiency in an indigenous tribal language of Arunachal Pradesh and working knowledge of the local indigenous tribes, subject to the conditions specified by APPSC.
This is therefore not a recruitment where simply holding a graduation degree makes a candidate eligible.
Age Limit
The prescribed age range is:
- Minimum: 21 years
- Maximum: 35 years
- Age cut-off: 20 October 2026
Applicable age relaxation is available to eligible categories under the relevant Arunachal Pradesh Government rules. APST candidates may receive the prescribed relaxation, while additional provisions may apply to certain APST PwBD candidates, government employees and specified defence personnel.
Candidates should use their matriculation or equivalent certificate as the primary document for establishing their date of birth.
How the APPSC CCE Selection Process Works
The recruitment is not based on a single written test. Candidates need to clear successive stages, making it important to understand the complete examination structure from the beginning.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | Aptitude Test / CSAT | 200 | 2 Hours |
Paper II is qualifying in nature, subject to the prescribed qualifying requirement. Preliminary marks are not added to the final merit calculation.
Candidates must appear in both papers, and negative marking applies for incorrect answers according to the notified examination scheme.
Stage 2: Main Examination
Candidates qualifying through the Preliminary Examination move to the Main Examination.
The Main stage includes English, Essay, General Studies papers and optional subjects. Unlike the objective preliminary stage, candidates need to prepare for descriptive writing and structured answers.
Stage 3: Interview / Viva-Voce
Candidates shortlisted for the final stage appear for the Interview or Viva-Voce.
The interview carries 275 marks under the notified scheme.
Candidates seeking Arunachal Pradesh Police Service positions must also satisfy the applicable physical and medical standards.
What This Means for Preparation
Clearing the Preliminary Examination is only the first major hurdle. A candidate who waits until after the preliminary result to start descriptive preparation may have limited time to develop answer-writing skills.
A better approach is to prepare objective subjects while gradually building Main Examination skills at the same time.
Pay and Service Benefits
The recruitment covers different Group A and Group B services, so the applicable pay level and remuneration depend on the particular post.
Selected candidates receive the prescribed basic pay and applicable government allowances and benefits according to the relevant service rules.
Because the posts are not all at the same level, candidates should check the post-specific pay details in the official notification rather than assuming that one salary applies to all 135 vacancies.
Important Dates for APPSCCE 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 October 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Preliminary Examination | 6 December 2026 |
| Main Examination | To be notified |
The application window runs for more than a month, but candidates should not leave submission until the final day. Certificate issues, payment failures or errors in the application can become difficult to resolve close to the deadline.
Documents Candidates Should Prepare
Candidates should have their supporting documents ready before beginning the online application.
Depending on their claim and circumstances, these may include:
- Recent passport-size colour photograph
- Scanned signature
- Matriculation or equivalent certificate
- Educational qualification certificates/marksheets
- APST Certificate
- Permanent Residence Certificate
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Government service-related documents for applicable claims
- Other certificates required for reservation or special eligibility claims
The photograph and signature should follow the file format, dimensions and other upload requirements specified by APPSC.
Application Fee
The examination fee is payable online according to the candidate’s applicable category.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and other applicable candidates | ₹200 |
| Eligible PwD candidates | Exempted |
Candidates should confirm the applicable fee on the official application portal before completing payment.
How to Apply Online
Once the application window opens, eligible candidates can complete the process through the APPSC online system.
- Visit the official APPSC website or recruitment portal.
- Complete One Time Registration if required.
- Log in using the registered credentials.
- Open the APPSCCE 2026 advertisement/application.
- Read the eligibility requirements before filling in the form.
- Enter personal, educational and other required details.
- Upload the photograph, signature and supporting documents in the specified format.
- Pay the applicable examination fee.
- Review every field carefully.
- Submit the completed application.
- Save the registration/application details and keep a copy of the submitted form.
Particular attention should be given to date of birth, APST status, residency information, educational qualification and uploaded certificates.
Important Checks Before You Submit
This recruitment has several conditions that deserve more attention than the usual online-form checks.
1. Do not assume graduation is enough
Although graduation is the broad educational requirement, candidates must also satisfy the recruitment’s state-specific eligibility conditions.
2. Verify APST and residency documents
A candidate claiming eligibility through APST or Arunachal Pradesh residency should make sure the relevant certificates are valid and available.
3. Check post-specific requirements
The 135 vacancies cover different services. Do not assume that eligibility for one post automatically means eligibility for every post.
4. Prepare for the Main Examination early
The Main Examination is descriptive. Waiting until the Preliminary result before practising essays and General Studies answers can put candidates at a disadvantage.
5. Police-service applicants need additional checks
Candidates interested in Arunachal Pradesh Police Service posts should separately verify the applicable physical and medical standards.
CareerAlert24 Insight
The most useful way to look at APPSCCE 2026 is as a multi-service competitive examination rather than simply a 135-post vacancy announcement.
The vacancy distribution is heavily concentrated in two areas: 60 APCS Entry Grade posts and 38 Assistant Section Officer posts. That makes post preference and eligibility checking particularly important for candidates considering multiple services.
The other major consideration is the recruitment’s state-specific eligibility framework. A graduate who normally qualifies for a civil service examination elsewhere should not assume that the same eligibility applies here. APST, residency, Permanent Residence Certificate and indigenous-language conditions need to be checked before investing time in the application.
From a preparation perspective, candidates should also avoid treating the Preliminary Examination as the entire selection process. The Main Examination requires descriptive preparation, while the final stage includes a 275-mark interview. Building answer-writing ability alongside preliminary preparation is therefore a more practical approach.
A Practical Preparation Approach
Build the Preliminary Foundation
Start with General Studies and cover the major areas included in the syllabus, while giving additional attention to Arunachal Pradesh-specific current affairs and general knowledge.
Keep CSAT in the Routine
Paper II is qualifying, but it still has to be cleared. Regular practice of comprehension, reasoning, mathematics and analytical questions can reduce the risk of losing time later.
Begin Descriptive Practice Before Prelims
Essay and General Studies answer writing should not be postponed until the preliminary result. Even one or two timed answers each week can help candidates become comfortable with descriptive writing.
Follow Arunachal Pradesh Current Affairs
State-specific developments can be particularly relevant in a state civil service examination. Candidates should maintain concise notes on important government programmes, geography, administration, economy and current events relating to Arunachal Pradesh.
Use Previous Papers and Mock Tests
Previous papers can reveal recurring themes and the level of difficulty. Mock tests are useful for improving accuracy and time management, especially for the Preliminary Examination.
APPSC CCE 2026 Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online / Recruitment Portal | APPSC Online Recruitment Portal |
| Official Notification | APPSCCE 2026 Advertisement PDF |
| Official Website | APPSC Official Website |
| CareerAlert24 WhatsApp | Join WhatsApp Channel |
| CareerAlert24 Telegram | Join Telegram Channel |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a graduate from another state apply for APPSC CCE 2026?
Not automatically. The recruitment contains specific Arunachal Pradesh residency, APST and indigenous-language conditions. Candidates must satisfy the requirements stated in the notification.
Are all 135 vacancies available under the same eligibility conditions?
No. The recruitment covers 13 different services and posts, so candidates should check the applicable requirements for the post they intend to pursue.
Are Preliminary Examination marks counted in the final merit list?
No. The Preliminary Examination is used for shortlisting, and its marks are not counted toward the final merit according to the stated examination scheme.
Is CSAT qualifying?
Yes. Paper II, the Aptitude Test/CSAT paper, is qualifying in nature subject to the prescribed minimum requirement.
Does APPSC CCE include an interview?
Yes. Candidates who reach the final stage appear for an Interview/Viva-Voce, which carries 275 marks under the notified scheme.
Is there a physical test for every APPSC CCE post?
No. Physical and medical requirements are particularly relevant to candidates applying for Arunachal Pradesh Police Service positions. Candidates should check the specific post requirements.
What is the last date for APPSC CCE 2026 applications?
The online application deadline is 20 October 2026 at 5:00 PM, according to the supplied recruitment information.
When is the APPSC CCE Preliminary Examination?
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 6 December 2026.
Final Takeaway
APPSC CCE Recruitment 2026 offers 135 Group A and Group B vacancies across 13 services, with the largest allocations going to APCS Entry Grade and Assistant Section Officer. However, the vacancy count should not be the first thing candidates consider. The Arunachal Pradesh residency, APST and indigenous-language conditions can determine whether a candidate is eligible to apply in the first place.
Those who meet the requirements should use the period before the Preliminary Examination to build both objective-test preparation and Main Examination writing skills. Before submitting the form, candidates should cross-check their certificates, age, post-specific eligibility and application details against the latest APPSC notification.
